Overview
- The tusker became trapped in the PAP contour canal on Saturday, May 23, and forest staff found it struggling in a roughly 20-foot-deep channel before rescue attempts failed.
- Rescue crews used heavy equipment but could not lift the animal against strong currents and the carcass was later traced to and recovered from Thirumoorthy Dam.
- A post-mortem by three veterinarians reported two deep wounds consistent with a fight, widespread smaller injuries with maggot infestation, and an empty stomach indicating it had not fed for several days.
- Veterinarians concluded the tusker was severely debilitated from injuries and starvation and likely entered the canal in that state, which made it unable to climb out and led to drowning.
- Conservation groups point to this as the second PAP-linked elephant death this year and are pressing authorities to implement WWF-India recommendations for safety ramps and other mitigations, though concrete action has not yet been reported.