A 22‑year‑old male elephant was discovered dead on a private estate near Kaalikesam in the Azhagiyapandiapuram Range of the Western Ghats on Wednesday, with forest officials saying the cause of death has not yet been determined.
Forest department sources confirmed that the elephant’s body was located on the private property within the Azhagiyapandiapuram Range, a protected area of the Western Ghats known for its wildlife.
Following the discovery, forest personnel and veterinarians were dispatched to the site to conduct an on‑the‑spot autopsy, after which the carcass was buried.
Officials have not provided an immediate explanation for the animal’s death, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether natural causes, disease, or human activity were involved.