5 gaurs found dead in Sathyamangalam

COIMBATORE: Five Indian guars were found dead in a reserve forest at Karalayam Village near Kadambur in Sathyamangalam in Erode district on Friday. Carcasses of the two guars were eaten by wild animals as pug marks of tigers and leopards were found at the spot. The dead animals were found within a100m radius in the reserve forest.

Officials claim the Indian guars were in a decomposed state and preliminary examination revealed that they were not afflicted by foot and mouth disease. However, the forest veterinary doctor N S Manoharan and his team will go to the spot on Saturday and will conduct a clinical examination to confirm cause of death.

"We suspect the animals to have died a week ago since they were in a decomposed state. Veterinary doctor from Kadambur who visited the spot said the animals were not affected by foot and mouth disease," said I Anwardeen, conservator of forests, Erode circle.

The carcasses of five Indian guars were found in the reserve forest area

by locals who notified forest officials on Friday morning. Initially, forest officials suspected cause of death to be foot and mouth disease, creating panic in the area. Veterinary doctor Govindasamy from Kadambur was immediately summoned to the spot. After conducting an examination he found no signs of foot and mouth disease as their hoof and mouth were free from wounds. However, he advised officials to conduct a clinical examination to ascertain exact cause of death.

"Cattle in Karalayam and Kadambur village were vaccinated by a team of doctors from the animal husbandry department. We will have to wait for one more day to know exact cause of death," said K Rajkumar, district forest officer, Sathyamangalam forest division.