Elephant, calf fall to death down 150 feet slope in Palani

MADURAI : A three-year-old male elephant and its mother died after falling from a 150-feet high slippery slope in Palani Hills. The incident came to light on Thursday morning after the carcass was found by forest personnel on rounds. A team of officials visited the spot and performed an autopsy at the spot. Officials said it took four hours for them to trek to the spot, which is located deep into the Palar beat of the Palani forest range.
According to the officials, the incident might have happened on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.They suspect that the male elephant must have fallen down first. The 12-year-old mother could have fallen down in an attempt to save its calf. “It is unusual for an adult elephant to fall, that too at a place known for frequent elephant movement. They can easily negotiate. The recent rain had made the rocky slope slippery,” said a forest officer.
A team of officials including Kodaikanal district forest officer S N Thejasvi, veterinarians Maruthupandi and Muthusamy Palani forest ranger K Ganeshram and animal activist Arunshankar vsited the spot. After the autopsy, the carcasses were disposed. Officials said both the elephants suffered multiple injuries including grievous head injuries.
Recently a five-year-old elephant in Meghamalai forest range in Theni district fell to death in a slippery surface.