Mysterious Elephant Death Investigation Continues in Kerala; Forest Department Pursuing Culprits
The investigation into the mysterious death of an elephant in Thrissur, Kerala, is still ongoing as the Forest Department strives to apprehend the culprits. The elephant’s carcass was discovered buried on a private property near a forest area, with one of its tusks missing.
In a related development, the Kerala Forest Department has arrested four individuals in connection with a tusk seizure case in the Ernakulam district’s Kodanad range. Authorities suspect a possible link between this seizure and the initial finding of the elephant carcass.
Forest Minister AK Saseendran promptly ordered an inquiry after the discovery of the elephant’s remains. The fact that the property owner was missing raised suspicions that the elephant was trapped and killed for its ivory.
The Forest Department has revealed that the four individuals arrested in connection with the recent tusk seizure had allegedly attempted to sell it. Investigators are now trying to establish any connection between these two incidents.
A senior forest official explained that determining the true cause of the elephant’s death would only be possible once they apprehend the suspects, including the property owner. Unfortunately, the carcass was found in an advanced stage of decomposition.
The search for the culprits is ongoing, said the official. The property owner, Roy, remains at large.
Saseendran described the incident as mysterious and suggested that the elephant might have been electrocuted or killed by another means.
Acting on a tip-off, forest officials conducted a search on the property, located in a village near a forest area.
Sreedevi Madhusoodhanan, the Forest Officer of the Machad Range, confirmed that they conducted a preliminary inquiry based on the tip-off, which turned out to be accurate.
On Friday morning, the Forest Department arrived at the property, where they discovered and exhumed the buried elephant carcass.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Forest Department is determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. By adhering to a rigorous search operation and following all leads, they hope to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the elephant’s tragic demise.
