Hanur: In separate cases, a buffalo and a cow have died after biting explosive-laced food balls at Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary Range in Chamarajanagar.

While a buffalo belonging to Kempamadamma of Vadekahalli village in the taluk died after biting a crude bomb kept inside food balls when it was left for grazing at Yelachikere Forest Area on Oct. 22, a cow belonging to Madaiah of Tokere village died in the same manner on Dec. 9.

As the incident had not come to the notice of the Forest Department and as the villagers had not given any complaints, the two incidents have come to light lately.

Poaching suspected: It is suspected that poachers are keeping crude bombs in food items and poaching wild animals in M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary limits.

As many wild animals such as wild boars, spotted deer and sambar among other such wild animals come to villages in forest borders, poachers, who observe the routes of these animals, place crude bombs among food balls made from chickpea and maize flour resulting in these wild animals biting the explosives and getting killed.

Even a few farmers, to protect their crops from wild boars, are allegedly placing such food balls with crude bombs inside it. While small animals die instantly after biting the food balls, large animals such as sambar, gaurs etc. bite the food balls resulting in their mouths being ripped open due to crude bombs exploding in their mouths and die a painful death after suffering for a few days.

Meanwhile, M.M. Hills Wildlife Division Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) V. Yedukondalu said that explosives being placed inside food items has come to the notice of the Forest Department and added that those having agricultural fields in forest borders were indulging in such acts to protect their crops from wild boars and also a few people were indulging in such heinous acts to poach wild animals. 

The DCF further said: “The truth would be known only after an investigation. Our Officers are conducting investigations and in case such acts are being committed, persons involved in the acts will be arrested.”