In an alarming trend, the state is witnessing a rise in the death of endangered species in the last two years. Thirteen animals have died this year so far, while 10 animals lost their lives last year.
Forest department officials said that most of the deaths in forests take place when the animals stray into the villages from the wilderness, and end up getting killed by villagers or due to various other causes like electrocution, accidents or by consuming pesticides.
Out of the 13 dead animals this year, seven of them were sloth bears, of which six died in Anantapur district alone. The remaining are three black bucks, a panther, an Indian bison, and an elephant all of which are endangered species. Last year 10 animals died, while in 2011, there were seven deaths of animals.
According to the statistics provided by the forest department, 2011 witnessed the death of two panthers and 2012 five. Only one panther died this year. Likewise, two Indian bisons died in 2011, only one this year and none last year.
The sharpest jump, however, has been among that of sloth bears, which has shot up from one last year to seven this year, while no deaths were recorded in 2011. The number of black bucks which died, however, have remained constant since 2011, with three deaths being recorded each year.
A forest department official explained that most of the deaths were due to man-animal conflict and not poaching of wild animals.
“Of the six bears that died this year, two died due to electrocution, one was hit by a vehicle, and two had died due to chemical poisoning. Most of the times the animals are in danger when they leave the jungle and venture out into villages in search of food,” the official explained, and added that most of the deaths occur in Anantapur district, since it is a dry area.
