Forest officials register case over death of wild elephant in Malayattoor

Kochi: Forest department officials in Malayattoor registered a case in connection with the suspicious death of a 20-year-old wild elephant, which was found dead on last Saturday. The FIR was registered for unnatural death, following the directions of chief wildlife warden.The tusker was injured in the mouth, suspected to have been caused by the animal biting a cracker stuffed in a food item. Though it was tranquilized and radio collared last Thursday, it died two days later.This is the second case registered by forest officials regarding the unnatural death of wild elephants in the division this year.The chief wildlife warden has ordered an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the death of the elephant.

Chief conservator of forests of high range in Kottayam has been entrusted with the task of conducting inquiry. He has been asked to the look into various aspects including the tusker’s health condition before it was tranquilized, the procedures initiated to dart the elephant, subsequent measures including radio collaring of the anima and its release, its death and autopsy procedures.

The officer has been asked to submit the report within 10 days.

Meanwhile, ANEC Trust, an NGO based in Ernakulam, on Wednesday wrote to Union ministry of environment and forests and climate change and state forest department seeking an investigation into the elephant’s death.The NGO sought action against officials responsible for “gross procedural violations, negligence and breach of the standard operating procedures” (SOPs) set by the ministry.The elephant appears to have been immobilized without complying with the mandatory requirement of conducting a detailed health assessment by the forest veterinary officer and the officer-in-charge before obtaining approval from the chief wildlife warden, the NGO stated. The applicable SOPs require submission of a proposal recording the animal’s health status and scientific justification for immobilization, it added.