An elephant aged about eight years was found dead in Sathyamangalam forest on Thursday. Forest officials suspect intestinal worms as the cause for the death of the elephant. An autopsy was performed and viscera samples were sent for further testing to ascertain the cause of death.
Officials said the elephant was part of a herd that used to frequent the river Mayar for drinking water.
On Thursday morning, the villagers saw the elephant dead and alerted forest officials who in turn informed a veterinarian. Subsequently, the veterinarian in the presence of senior officials from Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve performed postmortem and the carcass was buried.