WAYANAD: A female elephant was shot dead near national highway in Chethalayam, near Fourth Mile, Pulpally, in Wayanad on Monday. Officials said the pachyderm was 18 years old. The locals informed them about the death, and they inspected the body. The shooting might have taken place in between 12 am and 2 am, said the veterinary doctors who visited the spot.
Since a female elephant was killed, they suspect that it was only for the "fun of it". The exact place where the body was found included in the Kurichyad range of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The shooting might have occurred around 2 am, said wildlife warden P. Dhanesh Kumar.
They also suspect the hunters might have aimed some other animals and accidentally fired at her. The officials also suspect that the hunters might have shot from a vehicle. This is the first of such incident after poachers attacked elephants in 2005. Kurichyad range officer Ajith K. Raman, animal veterinary surgeon Dr Arun Zacharia, Dr Jijimon, Bathery ranger P. Krishnadas and SI Biju Antony visited the spot.
