Female elephant dies after electrocution near Anaimalai

A female wild elephant died after getting trapped in a solar-powered electric fence installed in a private garden near Anaimalai in the Coimbatore Forest Division.
The incident occurred in the Saralapathi area under the Pollachi forest range of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, where the elephant was found dead in a garden owned by Prabhu.
Forest officials, who rushed to the spot following information, confirmed that the animal was a female elephant.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the elephant sustained injuries on its back and died after coming into contact with the electric fence and collapsing. On the directions of Anamalai Tiger Reserve Field Director Venkatesh, a post-mortem was conducted.
It was carried out in the presence of Meiyarasan, Assistant Veterinary Officer, Pollachi Forest Division, K. Ranjith, Forest Guard Officer, G. Nirmala, Forest Guard Officer, Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit, Saravanakumar, Forest Guard Officer, S. Radhika, Village Administrative Officer, along with Electricity Board officials, volunteers and field staff.
Samples collected from the carcass were sent to the Wildlife Conservation Development Institute Laboratory in Chennai and the Forensic Science Laboratory in Coimbatore for further analysis.
The medical team indicated that the elephant was around 45 years old and likely died after being unable to free itself from the fence.
Following the post-mortem, the carcass was left in the forest as per standard procedure.
The tusks recovered from the elephant have been preserved at the forest department office. The Pollachi forest department has registered a case and is conducting further investigation into the incident.