Wild Elephant Found Dead Near Karadigudda Lake in Chamrajnagar, Samples Sent for Investigation
A wild elephant was discovered dead near Karadigudda Lake in Chamrajnagar, prompting an investigation into the cause of death.
Chamrajnagar, October 20 (Daily Kiran) : A wild elephant has been found dead near Karadigudda Lake in the Hanur forest division of Chamrajnagar district, Karnataka. The carcass was in a state of decay, making it difficult to determine the cause of death immediately.
Forest department officials discovered the body during a routine patrol in the area. Due to the advanced decomposition, identifying the reason behind the elephant’s death will require further investigation. Samples have been collected and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis. Results from this investigation are expected to provide more clarity on the circumstances surrounding the death.
In a separate incident, a female elephant was found dead in the Bandipur forest area of Gundlupet taluk, near Marikatte Lake. Deputy Conservator of Forests Nandish and veterinary officials inspected the site. Initial assessments suggest that the female elephant may have died from natural causes, possibly due to age-related health issues. Further examinations will be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Wildlife enthusiasts have expressed concern over the apparent lapses in patrolling and monitoring within forest areas, especially in light of these recent discoveries. They are calling for increased vigilance and improved surveillance measures to ensure the protection of wildlife.
In August 2026, forest department personnel were involved in a shooting incident while patrolling at night. They had asked six suspects to surrender, but were met with gunfire. In the ensuing exchange, three suspected poachers were killed, and one forest department employee was injured. This incident led to local protests in Hanur, prompting the deployment of police forces.
According to a study by the Wildlife Institute of India, over 280 elephants have died in Karnataka over the past three years. The state, home to more than 6,000 elephants, has the largest population of wild elephants in India. Additionally, in the last 25 years, human-elephant conflict incidents have resulted in the deaths of 216 elephants and 522 people.
