Tiger bones seized in MP, six arrested

P Naveen, TNN May 12, 2013
BHOPAL: At a time when Gujarat is at loggerheads with Madhya Pradesh over translocation of Asiatic lions from Gir sanctuary citing worries about their safety from poachers, here comes a fresh evidence of poaching and trading of wildlife articles by those living around the protected areas.

Six poachers have been arrested with over 2.5 kg skeletal remains of a tiger, including a portion of its upper jaw and deer antlers from villages located within the buffer zone of Kanha National Park - home for nearly 60 tigers.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-12/bhopal/39202982_1_gir-sanctuary-six-poachers-asiatic-lions

Poisonous plant killed 51 cheetals in Kanha

By P Naveen, TNN | Jan 23, 2013

BHOPAL: Regular consumption of Lantana camara, a poisonous plant found in abundance in the forest areas, has been found to be the cause behind the death of 51 spotted deers (cheetals) kept in a 35 acre-enclosure at the Kanha Tiger Reserve. The deers kept as prey stock for hand-reared tiger cubs died between January 4 and 16.

Initially it was suspected that the deers died of cold and malnutrition. Consumption of Lantana camara - plant which contains pentacyclic triterpenoids (akin to steroids) - in starvation led to the death of the spotted deers revealed investigations carried out by Jabalpur veterinary college experts.

Fearing an adverse impact on big cats population, veterinary experts have asked KTR officials to not to send remaining deer's from enclosure as prey to the tigers.

"All remaining deer's in the enclosure have infected livers and offering them as prey may be dangerous to tigers also," said a veterinary expert wishing anonymity.

Chemical named triterpenes in Lantana causes liver damage in animals when enough leaves are consumed, he said adding symptoms of poisoning include muscle weakness, gastrointestinal problems, lethargy, and cardiac collapse.

The major effect of Lantana is photosensitization, in acute cases death occurs in 2 to 4 days, whereas in sub-acute cases death may occur after 1 to 3 weeks of illness and weight loss. When contacted KTR director J S Chouhan said; "Tiger cubs have nine deers in their enclosure, so we don't need to shift more," he told TOI.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Poisonous-plant-killed-51-cheetals-in-Kanha/articleshow/18142314.cms

33 spotted deer found dead in Kanha Tiger Reserve

PTI

Spotted deers

A total of 33 spotted deer were found dead under Ghorela ward in the Kanha Tiger Reserve since last week, forest officials said on Friday.

Kanha Tiger Reserve’s veterinary surgeon Sandeep Agrawal told reporters that 29 spotted deers were found dead between Jan 4-10 and four were found on Friday in the Ghorela ward under the Mukki forest area.

The preliminary cause of their death appears to be malnutrition, infection and severe cold, but the exact reason will be known only after a postmortem and viscera report.

The reserve management has enhanced measures to monitor the health and security of the wild animals. The viscera has been sent to the Jabalpur-based Veterinary College laboratory for testing.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/33-spotted-deer-found-dead-in-kanha-tiger-reserve/article4298503.ece