An ailing elephant calf that was roaming with its mother and two other female elephants in Madukkarai forest range of the Coimbatore Forest Division for the past few days was found dead on Wednesday (September 23). Veterinarians said the calf succumbed to injuries inflicted by a carnivore, possibly a tiger.
The limping calf was first seen along with its herd at Pudupathy in Solakkarai forest beat of Madukkarai range on September 18.
A team headed by Madukkarai Forest Range Officer R. Arun Kumar continuously monitored the calf till Tuesday night. Frontline staff monitored the calf from a distance during the day and using drones fitted with thermal imaging cameras at night. When the team attempted to approach the calf to check its condition, the herd chased them and veterinarians on a few occasions.
An observation drone found the calf staying at the same spot without the presence of other elephants on Tuesday night. The staff went to the spot on Wednesday morning but found the calf dead.
Two veterinarians performed a necropsy on Wednesday in the presence of Assistant Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore; Madukkarai Range Officer, Range Officers of the Tamil Nadu Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and representatives from three non-governmental organisations (NGO).
The veterinarians found deep puncture wounds on various parts of the calf’s carcass. They opined that the calf suffered the injuries in the attack by a carnivore.
Female elephant found dead in Coimbatore range
A female wild elephant aged 8-10 was found dead within the jurisdiction of the Coimbatore forest range on Wednesday. Two veterinarians performed necropsy on the carcass in the presence of Forest Department officials and representatives from three NGOs.
The veterinarians opined that the elephant could have died of complications of intestinal impaction. Viscera and blood samples were collected to be sent for histopathological examinations.
Published – September 23, 2026 07:41 pm IST
