Jumbo found dead in trench

MANDYA: A 10-year-old female elephant died Wednesday after it fell into a trench in Halagur forest on .

Forest officials said the elephant fell into a deep trench, dug up to deter jumbos from crossing over, on Tuesday while it was scrounging for food in the area with its herd.

The elephant, which suffered serious injuries on its thighs, legs and other body parts, was found by some shepherds only by the next evening.

"The shepherds immediately called us. By the time we reached the spot, the condition of the elephant had worsened," Vasanthreddi,
divisional forest officer.

He said the officials first administered glucose to the jumbo with the help of a local veterinarian.

"But before our expert forest veterinarian could reach the spot, it died."

Another forest official suspected that the elephant lost consciousness due to its multiple injuries. "It probably fell into the trench while roaming with its herd. But we haven't ruled out that it could have been pushed into the trench by another elephant."