A 10-year old male elephant died of starvation after the animal was unable to eat for around ten days due to ulcer in its mouth, forest officials said.
A herd of elephants was seen guarding the sick pachyderm in Mankara forest area on the city outskirts and attempting to feed it since the past ten days. However, the elephant could not take food properly, forest department sources said.
The forest department received information two days ago and a team of officials reached the spot and tried to feed jumbo by throwing glucose laced jack fruit and other fruits.
However, their efforts failed and the elephant was unable to take them due to the mouth disease, they said.
A heavy downpour last night hampered further efforts to rescue the elephant and it was found lying dead in the early hours today, the officials said.