After tigress and cubs, 20 peacocks found dead in Tumkuru; probe launched

Mangalore Today News Network

Tumkuru, Aug 4, 2025: The carcasses of 20 peacocks — India’s national bird — were found in farmlands near a stream in Karnataka’s Hanumanthapura village.

The birds, including three males and 17 females, were found by local farmers, who alerted authorities to the unnatural deaths.

Forest officials arrived at the scene and conducted a preliminary inspection and sent the remains to the Forensic Science Laboratory for examination.

The officials said they are awaiting test results to determine the cause of death.

The incident adds to a series of recent shocking wildlife deaths in Karnataka.

On July 2, forest and police officials recovered the bodies of 20 monkeys in Chamarajanagar district. Initial investigations suggested poisoning as a possible cause.

Just weeks before that, in June, the deaths of a tigress and her four cubs in Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary drew widespread concern.

Officials later revealed that the animals had consumed a poisoned cow carcass.

The tigress had reportedly killed the cow and dragged it into the forest, where she and her cubs fed on it. It is suspected that the cow was deliberately poisoned by local villagers after discovering it had been attacked.

The forest department has urged residents to report any suspicious wildlife deaths immediately and said they are taking steps to prevent such incidents.