Kodu Crop to blame for elephant deaths in Bandhavgarh, says ICAR toxicology report

BHOPAL: As Congress Demands CBI Inquiry into Alleged Elephant Poisoning, Wildlife Institute Identifies Kodu Crop as the Cause A toxicological examination report from the Center for Wildlife Conservation, Management, and Disease Surveillance, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, has debunked claims of intentional poisoning of elephants in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Umaria, Madhya Pradesh. The report, which was submitted to the Deputy Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, attributes the deaths to contamination from Kodu crop, specifically its fungal toxins.
The report followed an investigation based on visceral organ and gastrointestinal contents sent by the Reserve to the institute on November 2. The samples, including liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung, stomach, and intestinal contents, were analyzed for the presence of various toxic substances. These included cyanide (HCN), nitrate-nitrite, heavy metals, commonly used insecticides, and the active principle of Kodu, cyclopiazonic acid.
The analysis found no traces of cyanide, nitrate-nitrite, heavy metals, or any common insecticides such as Organophosphates, Organochlorines, Pyrethroids, or Carbamates. However, cyclopiazonic acid was detected in all pooled samples, with concentrations exceeding 100 ppb. Further screenings are underway to determine the exact levels.
“The results suggest that the elephants might have ingested large quantities of Kodu plant or its grains,” the report concludes, indicating that the elephants were likely poisoned by the fungus growing on the Kodu crop.
The IVRI has also issued several precautionary measures to combat the spread of fungal infections in the region. According to experts, the contamination of Kodu crops has not only been affecting the local wildlife, including elephants, but is also posing a significant risk to domestic livestock.
The research institute has strongly recommended that farmers conduct a survey of affected fields and destroy any fungal-infected Kodu crop residue. It is also critical to prevent both domestic and wild animals from entering these fields, as ingestion of the contaminated crop could lead to serious health complications.
Furthermore, the institute stressed the importance of raising awareness among farmers and livestock owners in and around the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) about the dangers posed by fungal-infected crops. It has urged local communities to take necessary precautions, such as keeping livestock away from fields with high fungal contamination.
To better understand the environmental factors contributing to these fungal outbreaks, the institute has called for an in-depth study of the cropping patterns and environmental conditions around the BTR. The study is expected to shed light on the conditions that may be fueling the spread of the infection.
In addition, the institute has suggested further research into the toxicity of cyclopiazonic acid, particularly its lethal dose (LD50) for both domestic and wild animals. Understanding this threshold is crucial to mitigating the risks associated with the consumption of contaminated crops.
This report comes amid ongoing political pressure, as the Congress party has demanded a CBI inquiry into the elephant deaths, alleging that the poisoning was intentional. However, the scientific findings point to the unintentional consequences of consuming contaminated crops, highlighting the urgent need for agricultural and wildlife management interventions in the region.
As the investigation continues, local authorities and wildlife experts are urging the immediate implementation of the recommended measures to prevent further harm to both wildlife and livestock in the BTR area.