Concerns Mount Following Deaths of Ten Elephants in Indian National Park

Conservationists have expressed concern following the demise of 10 elephants within a three-day period at a national park located in central India. These animals, belonging to a group of 13 elephants, perished between October 29 and 31 at Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh state. According to a preliminary toxicology report, the elephants’ deaths may have resulted from consuming a millet crop contaminated with fungus. This incident has garnered widespread national attention and criticism, placing the state government in a defensive position. L Krishna Murthy, a senior forest official heading the investigation into the fatalities, stated, “[The toxicology report indicates] that the elephants had consumed a large quantity of decayed kodo [millet] plants and grains.” Earlier unverified accounts suggested the elephants might have been poisoned, potentially by farmers seeking to prevent crop destruction. However, government authorities assert that no evidence of intentional poisoning has been found. The toxicology report specifies that cyclopiazonic acid, identified as a fungal neurotoxin, was detected in samples collected from the deceased elephants. It is believed that the elephants ingested a substantial quantity of kodo millets, a crop typically cultivated in arid areas across nations such as India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and parts of West Africa. Approximately 35% of India’s kodo millet production originates from Madhya Pradesh. This crop exhibits rapid growth, resilience to drought, and extended storage capability. Furthermore, it is readily digestible and offers various health advantages. Nevertheless, certain studies have indicated that consuming this millet can lead to “intoxication and poisoning” due to the grains being “frequently infested” with a fungus that generates cyclopiazonic acid. A separate study conducted by researchers at the Indian Institute of Millets Research notes that although numerous “crops suffer from [cyclopiazonic acid] contamination, major adverse effects have been recorded only in kodo millet because of lack of scientific management.” These researchers also propose that specific methods, like promptly drying the harvested crop, could guarantee its safety. While not common, there have been documented instances of animal deaths following the consumption of this crop. In 1933, 14 elephants perished near a forest in the southern state of Tamil Nadu after ingesting kodo millets, as detailed in a report co-authored by ecologist Raman Sukumar and mycologist TS Suryanarayanan, published in Down to Earth magazine. Mr Sukumar, known for his extensive work on Asian elephants and human–wildlife conflict, informed the BBC that elephants commonly consume millets when foraging in fields. Elephants possess a keen sense of smell, yet mycotoxins lack both odor and taste. He remarked, “My sense is that elephants tried to eat as much as possible in as little time as possible because they knew that farmers would chase them away.” He further suggested that weather conditions probably contributed to the fungal development on the millets. Prior to the deaths, the region experienced heavy rainfall, creating damp environments favorable for fungal infection. Following news reports that attributed the deaths to kodo millets, authorities proceeded to destroy certain crops in villages situated near the national park. The toxicology report advises surveying and eliminating the remnants of fungus-infected crops, as well as restricting access for both domestic and wild animals to these fields. However, local farmers stated that they have cultivated kodo millets for many years without experiencing any negative incidents. Mr Sukumar also noted that it remains uncommon for fungal infections in kodo millets to generate mycotoxins. He concluded, “The elephants were unfortunate this time.”