The death of seven elephants in Madhya Pradesh's Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has sparked outrage, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh calling it "absolutely shocking". He has sought an immediate probe into the mortalities stating that this loss represents about 10 per cent of the reserve's elephant population.

The Congress general secretary in-charge communications said, "The news from the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve that seven elephants have died while two or three more are critical, is absolutely shocking."

 "This wipes out some 10 per cent of the elephant population in the reserve at one go. A full inquiry must take place immediately and preventive measures must be instituted," the former environment minister said on X, tagging Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.

According to reports, State Forest Minister Ramniwas Rawat has ordered a Special Investigation Team probe, while officials are investigating potential causes, including the consumption of Kodo millet. The situation remains critical, with three more elephants in serious condition.

A forest official said three more elephants have died in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Madhya Pradesh's Umaria district, taking the toll to seven. "The condition of three other tuskers was serious," the official said.

Madhya Pradesh's Forest Minister Ramniwas Rawat has ordered a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the death of the tuskers and asked officials to ensure strict action against culprits.

 BTR's deputy director Prakash Kumar Verma said prime facie, the elephants seemed to have died after consuming Kodo millet, but the exact cause will be known after the autopsy.

 Four wild elephants were found dead in the BTR on Tuesday while four others, part of the same herd of 13 tuskers, were found ill during routine patrolling, officials earlier said.

 Verma on Wednesday said so far seven elephants have died. They were part of the herd of 13 pachyderms, he informed.

 The condition of three other jumbos was serious and they were being treated, while the BTR teams were monitoring the movement of remaining elephants that were part of the herd, he added.