Hyderabad: Panic and grief have gripped the shepherding community near Loadpalli village in Telangana’s Penchikalpet mandal after at least 90 sheep died suddenly, reportedly after feeding on toxic plants in a nearby forested area.
The sheep belonged to two farmers from Sirsha village in neighbouring Koutala mandal. Their herds were taken out for routine grazing when the animals wandered into a patch of forest and consumed large amounts of Lantana Camara — a fast-spreading, invasive shrub commonly known in the region as “puli kampa” or “panchapoola.”
Veterinary officials confirmed the cause of death as poisoning, pointing to the plant’s well-known toxicity. Several other sheep that grazed in the same area have fallen ill and are being treated by animal health workers in the region.
Though visually striking with its bright flowers, Lantana is a deadly hazard for grazing livestock. Native to Central and South America, the plant was introduced to India during the colonial period and has since overtaken large swathes of countryside across multiple states. It flourishes in fallow lands and forest belts, and has become notoriously hard to control.
Scientists say the toxins in Lantana can cause serious liver damage in animals like goats and cattle, often proving fatal if consumed in large amounts. The plant’s spread also threatens native vegetation, pushing out other species with its aggressive, unchecked growth.
Meanwhile, there’s been no official word on compensation or any plan of action. The shepherds, left reeling, have called the losses devastating and are urging the government to step in.
