GADAG
A series of mysterious wild animal deaths has alarmed locals and wildlife enthusiasts near Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary in Gadag district. The incident has sparked renewed concern among conservationists already worried about earlier deaths of tigers and leopards in the region.
Over the past week, villagers near Varavi village in Lakshmeshwar taluk have reported spotting at least two wild cats dead, along with an owl and a snake. The unexplained nature of these deaths has led to multiple theories among locals.
Some believe the deaths may have been caused by exposure to chemical fertilizers and pesticides commonly used in farms near the sanctuary. Others suggest that farmers growing chillies use poison-laced rat traps to protect their crops, and that wild cats, owls, and other predators may be dying after consuming poisoned rodents.
Shockingly, no post-mortem examinations have been conducted so far. Adding to the mystery, Forest Department officials claim they were unaware of the deaths. “If wild cats had died, the carcasses should have been found and reported. But no such intimation was received,” officials noted.
The failure of villagers to report these incidents to forest authorities has raised eyebrows. Although there are general reports of wildlife deaths near Kappatagudda, there is no confirmed location of the deaths or carcass recovery.
“Only a postmortem of the carcasses can determine the exact cause of death,” said Santosh Kumar Kenchappa, Deputy Conservator of Forests. “So far, we have no definite information on where the animals died or where their remains are.”
The mystery deepens as environmentalists call for urgent investigation and stricter monitoring in and around Kappatagudda Sanctuary to prevent further loss of wildlife.
