20 peacocks, India’s national bird, were found dead in Karnataka’s Hanumanthapura village. The birds were discovered by local farmers, lying scattered across farmland close to a stream.

According to forest officials, the dead birds include three males and 17 females. The cause of their death is not known yet.

After learning about the unnatural deaths, forest officers rushed to the area and examined the site. The carcasses have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for tests to find out what caused the deaths. Officials said that they are waiting for the lab report before drawing any conclusions.

This incident comes shortly after several similar cases of animal deaths in Karnataka.

On July 2, 20 monkeys were found dead in Chamarajanagar district. Police and forest officials believe that the monkeys might have been poisoned.

Even earlier, in June, a tigress and her four cubs were found dead in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. The deaths left both wildlife lovers and officials deeply disturbed.

Investigations into the tigress’s death revealed a tragic story. As per forest officials, the tigress had killed a cow and dragged it into the forest. She and her four cubs later ate some of the cow’s meat. It is believed that the cow had been poisoned after its carcass was found by local villagers. All five tigers died after returning to feed on the poisoned remains.

The bodies of the tigress and three of her cubs were found in the Meenyam forest area, part of the Hoogyam range of the sanctuary.

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