Daijiworld Media Network - Vellore
Vellore, Dec 5: In a shocking incident, three elephants, including a calf, were found dead under mysterious circumstances in a privately owned forest area in Vellore district on Thursday, prompting a joint investigation by Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh forest authorities.
The carcasses were discovered in Bhaimala, a private forest adjacent to Kondapalli Reserved Forest and close to Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, a key interstate elephant corridor. According to officials, two adult elephants and a calf were found in a highly decomposed state near a waterhole. The location falls within Tamil Nadu territory, barely 4-5 km from the Andhra Pradesh border.
A special investigation team led by A. Periasamy, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Villupuram), and Dr. Sridhar, Forest Veterinary Officer, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, rushed to the spot to conduct a detailed inquiry. Experts from the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) have collected samples for forensic analysis to determine the cause of death.
Considering the frequent movement of elephant herds across the border, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Andhra Pradesh has deputed officers from Chittoor division to assist in the probe.
Local cattle herders from Sadhagur hill village were the first to notice the carcasses—one inside the waterbody and two along the bank—and quickly alerted forest personnel. Nearly 60 forest officials from Tamil Nadu and 13 from Andhra Pradesh participated in the inspection.
The deaths have raised serious concerns, as three more elephants had died recently in a different part of the Vellore forest range. With six elephant deaths reported in just two-and-a-half months, villagers have alleged inadequate monitoring in the rugged terrain. Forest officials, however, assured that a scientific and thorough investigation is underway.
Officials said preliminary findings will be submitted after post-mortem and forensic reports are received. The department has also stated that stringent action will be taken if foul play is established.