Probe begins into jumbo’s death in Malayattoor

Kochi: The postmortem report of a wild elephant found dead on Saturday morning in Malayattoor mentioned the cause of death as septic shock from septicemia, said a forest official on Sunday.

However, environmental activists alleged that forest officials haven’t filed a case so far into its suspicious death.The elephant was found dead on Saturday morning and the postmortem examination conducted later the same day.“As per the postmortem report, the cause of death is septic shock from septicemia from the injuries. Reason for injury is mild explosives or infighting. We have started investigation into it and will file a case if anything is found prima facie,” said a forest official in Malayattoor division.It is suspected that the elephant might have bitten a cracker-stuffed food item which resulted in injury in the mouth and eventually led to its death.Activists alleged that Kerala forest department’s apathy to take strong action against those who injure or kill wild animals is encouraging people to kill the animals.“With the elephant’s death, forest officials and locals in the area feel the issue has been resolved and that’s why no action has been initiated by the department.

The recurring suspicious deaths of wild elephants is due to the failure on the part of the department over the last few years. Even the new govt remains mum on anthropogenic activities leading to the death of wild elephants in order to protect some people,” alleged a former forest department official.The dead wild elephant, which had intruded into human habitation, was tranquilised and fitted with radio collar by the department on Thursday.

Forest officials also applied medicine on the injury. It was later released into the forest the same day.Activists have raised concerns over the department’s tranquilisation measures as it was allegedly darted multiple times and private elephant squads were deployed to capture the animal. With the suspicious death of the elephant, activists have written to chief wildlife warden seeking inquiry into the tranquilisation measures taken.