Photo: Dr. Matrishva Vyas. On April 3, 2016, a group of tourists visiting Chhattisgarh's Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary discovered a contaminated waterhole in the park. Not only did the tourists see dead wildlife around the water body, but also witnessed monkeys drinking from the source and then dropping dead.
During their morning safari, Dr. Matrishva Vyas, along with three friends, all residents of Raipur, first came across the body of a spotted dear lying within 300 feet of the watering hole called ‘Bhalu Nala'. As the deer was some distance away from them, they couldn't observe it closely, and assumed that it had been killed by a big cat. Expecting the predator to return to the kill, they decided to wait at the spot. After an uneventful hour, a troop of langurs approached the waterhole to slake their thirst. The wildlife enthusiasts were shocked to see that within 15 minutes of drinking the water, the monkeys fell over dead. Now suspicious of the water, they trained their tele-photo lenses around the water body and discovered the bodies of two more deer. The three men took pictures of the poisoned animals and noted that there were no signs of external injury. They then immediately returned to the front gate to inform the Assistant Conservator of Forest of the incident. They also recorded their experience in the park's visitor's diary.
Photo: Dr. Matrishva Vyas.Sanctuary Asia has reached out to park authorities to request the immediate cleaning of the water body in question, and demand a proper inquiry into the incident. Poisoning is a serious threat to wildlife across the country, and is used by poachers to stealthily kill animals without the fear of discovery. In fact, in the last week of March this year, a tigress and her two cubs were found dead in the famous Pench Tiger Reserve. All three are suspected to have died of poisoning. A confirmation on the cause of death is awaited.
The dry deciduous forests of the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary spread across 245 sq. km. of the Mahasamund District of Chhattisgarh. The little-known park is home to sloth bears, leopards, jackals, four-horned antelope and even has a transient population of tigers, amongst other wildlife. Sanctuary will continue to follow this story, and applauds the vigilant role of the four tourists - Dr. Vyas, Mr. Rishi Sen, Mr. Pradip Janwade and Mr. Rajendra - in reporting and documenting the incident.
Photo: Dr. Matrishva Vyas. Read more: Baghin Nullah Tigress, Two Cubs Found Dead In Pench.
Author: Cara Tejpal.
