Elephant calf dies after consuming explosive bait in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve; one arrested

1.5-year-old female elephant calf died after consuming meat avuttukai (country-made explosive) was allegedly planted in the reserve forest area of ​​Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) to hunt wild boars. While one person was detained in connection with the incident, efforts are continuing to capture the other suspect.

The body was found on January 10, 2026, during a routine patrol in the Boothikadu area of ​​the Guthiyalathur reserve forest, which comes under the Kadambur Forest Range in Sathyamangalam Division. Forest personnel warned STR Deputy Director and District Forest Officer of Sathyamangalam Division Kulal Yogesh Vilas.

A post-mortem was conducted under the Tamil Nadu Elephant Mortality Audit Framework (EDAF) in the presence of the Deputy Director, a Forest Officer from Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, chairman of the Environment Development Committee from Malliamman Durgham and the coordinator of READ NGO. The autopsy performed by STR Deputy Forest Veterinarian confirmed that the calf died due to injuries caused by village-made explosive bait. Samples from vital organs were collected for laboratory analysis.

Later, a special investigation team (SIT) was formed, headed by the Ekkathur district forester, to trace those responsible. During the investigation, the suspect, identified as K. Kaalimuthur from Thondur in the hill district, was arrested on Monday (January 12) and a case of wildlife crime was registered in Kadambur Forest Area. While legal action was initiated to capture the other escaped suspect, a special team was assigned. Kadambur police were also alerted due to the presence of explosive material in the incident and investigation into the incident is ongoing.