COIMBATORE: An ailing wild female elephant died near Thadagam-Veerapandi in Coimbatore forest division on Thursday evening.
According to the Coimbatore District Forest Officer (DFO) Venkatesh, a 20-year-old female elephant was found standing in a field covered with thick juliflora vegetation in the Mullankaadu foothills close to the Western Ghats near 24-Veerapandi in Coimbatore forest division couple of days ago.
As the elephant remained in the same place for more than 24 hours, local farmers informed forest officials. A team comprising a forester, guard and AP watchers led by ranger in charge Suresh were deployed to monitor the elephant round-the-clock. They found the elephant ailing, and made efforts to treat her on the directions of higher officials on Thursday evening.
Forest veterinary doctor Asokan was brought to the spot. The doctor gave first aid mixing medicines with fruits to help the elephant recover from dehydration, but the elephant did not eat anything. Late on Thursday evening, the elephant, unfortunately, died. Autopsy was done on Friday. “It suffered from some severe stomach infection and eventually starved to death,” added the DFO.
