In a disturbing incident, 20 peacocks—three males and 17 females—were found dead under mysterious circumstances in Hanumanthapura village, Madhugiri taluk, Tumakuru district, Karnataka, on Monday. Forest, Biology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has ordered an urgent investigation led by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) to determine the cause, with suspicions pointing to pesticide poisoning.

Local farmers discovered the carcasses scattered across agricultural fields near a stream on August 2, after the deaths likely occurred on the night of August 1. The forest department, alerted by the police, swiftly collected visceral samples from the birds and sent them for forensic analysis. A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, given the peacock’s status as India’s national bird and a Schedule I species.

Minister Khandre expressed deep concern, noting this as part of a troubling trend of wildlife deaths in Karnataka, including the poisoning of a tigress and her four cubs in Male Mahadeshwara Hills in June and 20 monkeys near Bandipur in July. “The government is taking the mass death of our national bird seriously,” Khandre said, directing the investigative team to probe whether the peacocks consumed pesticide-laced crops or were deliberately targeted. A report is expected within five days, with strict legal action promised based on findings.

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Preliminary reports suggest farmers in Madhugiri taluk may have mixed chemicals with maize seeds to protect crops from birds, potentially leading to the peacocks’ deaths. Khandre has mandated immediate audits and reporting to his office for any future deaths of Schedule I or II species to curb such incidents. The forest department has intensified vigilance, with ongoing efforts to protect Karnataka’s wildlife amid rising human-wildlife conflicts.

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