Shocking! 25 blackbucks found dead after reportedly consuming pesticide in Telangana

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: In what could be stated as a tragic incident, 25 blackbucks were found dead after reportedly consuming fertiliser and pesticide used for maize crop in Telangana.

The incident came to light when villagers of Gummadam in Mahabubnagar district saw the blackbucks dead and informed the forest officials subsequently.

"As per preliminary inquiry, we suspect that the blackbucks consumed pesticide and fertiliser used for maize crop. Some farmers had illegally grown the crop on the land belonging to revenue department, which is a submerged area of Srisailam reservoir," Mahabubnagar District Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) C Ganga Reddy said.

"A total of 25 blackbucks have died...We took samples from every carcass and will send it for forensic examination to know the exact reason of their deaths," Reddy told PTI over phone, adding all preventive and precautionary measures have been undertaken to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

The maize crop has been destroyed, he said. A case has been registered against two farmers, who had illegally taken up sowing of maize crop on the government land, under relevant sections of the Wildlife Act, the DFO added.

(With PTI inputs)