Elephant calf dies after swallowing bomb in Sathyamangalam reserve

A two-year-old elephant calf died after swallowing a country-made bomb in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. Forest officials arrested a local farmer, suspecting the explosive was placed to deter elephants from entering agricultural fields.

Erode (Tamil Nadu): A female elephant calf has died after swallowing a country-made bomb in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in this district and a farmer has been arrested in this connection, forest officials have said.

Forest personnel who went on patrol to the Guthiyalathur reserve forest a few days ago found the two-year-old calf dead, and they informed the forest veterinarian. Bleeding injuries in the elephant’s trunk and mouth were noticed, they said on Monday.

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The veterinarian conducted an autopsy and declared that the elephant died after consuming a country-made bomb. Forest officials suspected the bomb should have been thrown there by a poacher or farmer who wanted to ward off elephants from entering fields. After conducting an investigation, they arrested Kalimuthu (43), a farmer of the area, they added. The carcass of the calf was buried in the same area.