Kodu Crop is responsible for elephant deaths in Bandhavgarh, says ICAR toxicology report – Times of India

BHOPAL: As Congress demands a CBI probe into alleged elephant poisoning, the Wildlife Institute identifies Kodu Crop as the cause. A toxicology research report by the Center for Wildlife Conservation, Management, and Disease Surveillance, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, has debunked claims of deliberate 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 the Kodu crop, particularly the fungal toxins.
The report followed an examination based on intestinal and gastrointestinal contents sent to the institute by the Reserve on November 2. The samples, including the contents of the liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, lungs, stomach and intestines, were analyzed for the presence of various substances. toxic substances. These include cyanide (HCN), nitrate-nitrite, heavy metals, commonly used insecticides and Kodu’s active ingredient, cyclopiazonic acid.
The analysis found no traces of cyanide, nitrate-nitrite, heavy metals or other common insecticides such as organophosphates, organochlorines, pyrethroids or carbamates. However, cyclopiazonic acid was detected in all pooled samples, at concentrations greater than 100 ppb. Further screenings are underway to determine the exact levels.
“The results suggest that the elephants may have ingested large quantities of Kodu plants or their grains,” the report concludes, indicating that the elephants were likely poisoned by the fungus growing on the Kodu crop.
The IVRI has also issued various precautionary measures to prevent the spread of fungal infections in the region. According to experts, contamination of Kodu crops not only affects local wildlife, including elephants, but also poses a significant risk to domestic livestock.
The research institute has strongly recommended that farmers conduct a survey of the affected fields and destroy any fungus-infected Kodu crop residue. It is also crucial to prevent both domestic and wild animals from entering these fields, as ingestion of the contaminated crop can lead to serious health complications.
Moreover, the institute emphasized the importance of raising awareness among farmers and pastoralists in and around the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) about the dangers of fungal-infected crops. It has urged local communities to take necessary precautions, such as keeping livestock away from fields with high mold contamination.
To better understand the environmental factors contributing to these fungal outbreaks, the institute has called for an in-depth investigation into the cropping patterns and environmental conditions around the BTR. The study is expected to shed light on the conditions that can cause the spread of the infection.
In addition, the institute has proposed further research into the toxicity of cyclopiazonic acid, especially the lethal dose (LD50) for both domestic and wild animals. Understanding this threshold is critical to mitigating the risks associated with consuming contaminated crops.
The report comes amid continued political pressure as the Congress party has demanded a CBI probe into the elephant deaths, alleging that the poisoning was intentional. However, the scientific findings point to the unintended consequences of consuming contaminated crops, highlighting the urgent need for agricultural and wildlife management interventions in the region.
As investigations continue, local authorities and wildlife experts are calling for the immediate implementation of recommended measures to prevent further damage to both wildlife and livestock in the BTR area.