The female elephant that was found injured in a local forest grove near Balele in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu, and which was subsequently rescued and released after treatment last week, was found dead on Tuesday morning.
The elephant had deep wounds — suspectedly inflicted by a wild tusker — and was partially blind. Post-mortem reports revealed that the injuries were grievous. Though treated with long-acting antibiotics, the elephant died owing to septicemia. It had taken refuge in a 12-acre forest close to the Lakshmantheertha river.
The Forest Department launched a rescue operation with help from domesticated elephants — Abhimanya, Drone, Krishna, and Bheema from the Mathigodu camp. After treatment, it was released into the Kalahalla range of Nagarahole last week. But it walked about 6 km from the spot, crossed the river, and died near Ganagnur close to Mathigodu.
Another jumbo dead
Chikkamagaluru Staff Reporter writes:
A female elephant, which was found ill at a private coffee estate near Kutagal in N.R. Pura taluk on Monday, died on Tuesday.
The animal had collapsed in the estate belonging to Mithun near Kutagal, was treated but developed complications later. The officials conducted a post-mortem later in the evening.