Coimbatore's elephants at risk as another found dead

Another elephant was found dead in Sirumugai forest range in the Coimbatore forest division. From January to till now this was the 10th elephant death reported across five ranges in the forest division. Sirumugai Forest Range alone accounted for six elephant succession deaths.

Coimbatore:A female elephant was found dead in the Sirumugai forest range in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore forest division on Thursday.

A four-member team of the forest department, who were on a patrol in the forest from Moolaiyoor to Mayilmokkai, sensed an unpleasant smell. While there was a foul smell emanating from the area the animals had gathered, the patrol team couldn’t access the spot as the elephants blocked the way.

They went to the same place In the wee hours of Thursday and found a carcass of a female elephant in a decomposed state. They immediately informed about this to High officials.

The veterinarians assessed that the elephant must have died at least 8 to 10 days back. The age of the elephant is around 47 to 49 years. The organs were too decomposed for them to understand the cause of death. However, samples from the carcass were collected for laboratory examination.

From January to till now this was the 10th elephant death reported across five ranges in the forest division. Sirumugai Forest Range alone accounted for six elephant succession deaths.