In the Kumbaarakolli Reserve Forest of Theppakkadu range in the Nilgiris, the decomposed body of a female elephant, estimated to be around 40 years old, was discovered on Saturday evening. A postmortem conducted on Sunday was inconclusive regarding the exact cause of death.
Officials believe the elephant died about ten days prior, based on the advanced state of decomposition. The carcass was found deep inside the forest, an area where patrolling was hampered by heavy rains in May, delaying the discovery.
“A portion of the elephant’s flesh had been consumed by carnivores. Due to the carcass’s putrefied state, we neither buried nor cremated it after the postmortem,” a forest officer explained. “We suspect natural causes as the reason for death since scavengers had fed on the remains.”
This incident marks the first elephant death in the forest range this year.
Wild elephants enter human areas
Meanwhile, three wild elephants were sighted entering a residential locality in Paadanthorai near Gudalur on Saturday night. The forest department has cautioned residents against approaching or filming the animals.
“We have noticed many youths waiting on terraces and streets to capture videos of these wild animals, which disturbs them. We have issued warnings and will initiate legal action against violators,” a forest official said.