Ailing tusker dies despite treatment in Coimbatore

Coimbatore: An ailing male wild elephant died without responding to treatment in Sirumugai forest range of the Coimbatore forest division on Tuesday morning.

A forest department official said the elephant was found in an ailing condition near the reserve forest boundary at Sirumugai forest range on April 22. Since then, a veterinary team headed by forest veterinary officer A Sukumar were closely monitoring the sick elephant and providing it with drugs, fruits and fodder. The pachyderm was not tranquilized or secured as it did not have any visible external injuries and was allowed to roam inside the reserve forest.

However, the tusker, aged about 17-years-old, was found dead at Koothamandi area of Mothur Pethikuttai reserve forest around 6.30am on Tuesday. Veterinary officers carried out an autopsy at the spot. Officials said the tusker had died due to multiple organ failure (liver, lungs and kidneys). Samples of its vital parts were collected and sent for forensic analysis to ascertain the exact cause of death.

The carcass was later buried inside the forest.