Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia

Sullia, May 26: A one-year-old female calf elephant was found dead at Bedrupanaje near Adthale in Aranthodu village of Sullia taluk on Monday.

The carcass was discovered early in the morning in the plantation of Gopalakrishna of Bedrupanaje. Following information, a team of Forest Department officials led by Sullia Range Forest Officer N. Manjunath visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Officials suspect that injuries found on the body indicate the possibility of an attack by adult elephants from the same herd.

Forest officials said a herd of wild elephants had entered the plantation late on Sunday night, prompting elephant task force personnel and locals to drive them back into the forest. However, the herd reportedly returned around 3 am, during which the calf is suspected to have been attacked.

The incident occurred in a private plantation area located within the Sampaje Reserve Forest limits. Forest officials and veterinarians conducted a post-mortem examination at the spot itself, following which the carcass was buried as per forest department protocols.

Among those present were assistant conservator of forests Prashant Kumar, veterinary officer Dr Yashaswi, former gram panchayat president Keshava Adthale, and members of the elephant task force.

Meanwhile, residents have raised concerns over the increasing incidents of wild elephant intrusion in Sullia taluk. Repeated cases of crop destruction and nighttime movement of elephants into human settlements have caused fear among locals, who have urged the Forest Department to implement permanent mitigation measures.