The deaths of 10 elephants in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) have been linked to acute poisoning from fungal toxins, according to findings from the School of Wildlife Forensics and Health (SWFH) in Jabalpur. While the SWFH report ruled out Herpesvirus as a cause, the Sagar Forensic Laboratory found no traces of pesticides or fertilizers in the samples they tested. The investigation, initially focused on agricultural chemical contamination or poisoning, now points towards the consumption of fungus-infected kodu crops as the likely cause. The SWFH report, however, did not specify the exact nature of the toxins involved, leaving authorities with unanswered questions. The forest department is continuing its investigation, awaiting further reports from laboratories across the country, including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in Hyderabad and the Center for Wildlife Conservation, Management, and Disease Surveillance at ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly. The IVRI report confirmed the presence of cyclopiazonic acid, a potent fungal toxin, in the elephant samples, exceeding 100 ppb. While the investigation continues, the focus now shifts to identifying the specific fungus responsible for the contamination and the precise levels of toxins involved.