Carbofuran, Phorate linked to death of five tigers in MM Hills: FSL report
Bengaluru: A recent report by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has confirmed the presence of high levels of two toxic pesticides, Carbofuran and Phorate, in the digestive systems of a tigress and her four cubs found dead in the Hoogyam Range of the Malai Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (MM Hills) last month.
The report, as cited by The New Indian Express on Thursday, showed the presence of 20 micrograms of pesticide in one tissue sample of the dead carnivores. Veterinarians and experts stated that these chemicals were used in large quantities to kill them. Notably, Phorate is banned by the Central Government, while the use of Carbofuran has been regulated.
Sources from FLS quoted by TNIE mentioned that Carbofuran, being colourless, odourless, and tasteless, is often misused for intentional poisoning and even a small quantity can kill an animal in couple of hours. “Though it has been found for the first time in Karnataka, it was used to kill tigers in Jim Corbett, Ooty and Madhya Pradesh. Organo Phosphorus Compound was used to poison the leopard two years ago in Karnataka. However, the chemical analysis reports of the tiger poisoning case in Nagarhole Tiger Reserve were not clear as the carcass was over 7-10 days old,” they added.
According to veterinarians involved in the investigation, more than 500 chemical compounds were screened before confirming the presence of Carbofuran and Phorate. They also reported that the tigers’ digestive systems contained only meat from the dead carcass, leading authorities to begin testing agricultural produce from surrounding areas in MM Hills and Chamarajanagara for contamination.
Officials have expressed concern over the incident, stating that poisoning cases of this scale are rare and worrisome. “The government needs to look into the chemicals, pesticides and insecticides the farmers are using,” TNIE quoted a forest department official as saying.
Meanwhile, a senior official from the agriculture department acknowledged the gravity of the situation but noted the difficulty in monitoring the exact quantities of pesticide being purchased and used by farmers. “But this is a grave concern, and it will be checked as all pesticides are sold through authorised dealers only,” the official added.
Forest, environment and ecology minister Eshwar B. Khandre said that if banned and regulated substances have been used, action will be taken against the people.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
8 dead, dozens wounded in Russian strike on Ukraine's Odesa port
Kyiv (AP): Eight people were killed and 27 wounded in a Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa, southern Ukraine, late on Friday, Ukraine's Emergency Service said on Saturday morning.
Some of the wounded were on a bus at the epicentre of the overnight strike, the service said in a Telegram post. Trucks caught fire in the parking lot, and cars were also damaged.
The port was struck with ballistic missiles, said Oleh Kiper, the head of the Odesa region.
ALSO READ: 'Have not received complaint yet': Delhi Police on assault by off-duty Air India Express pilot
Elsewhere, Ukrainian forces hit a Russian warship and other facilities with drones, Ukraine's General Staff said in a statement on Saturday.
The nighttime attack on Friday hit the Russian warship “Okhotnik,” according to the statement posted to the Telegram messaging app.
The ship was patrolling in the Caspian Sea near an oil and gas production platform. The extent of the damage is still being clarified, the statement added.
A drilling platform at the Filanovsky oil and gas field in the Caspian Sea was also hit. The facility is operated by Russian oil giant Lukoil. Ukrainian drones also struck a radar system in the Krasnosilske area of Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
