Elephant found dead near farm

A 12-year-old male elephant was found dead today near a farm in Dharamjaygarh forest under Chhal range in Raigad district of Chhattisgarh, an official said.

Forest Range Officer Pranay Mishra said they suspect that the elephant might have died after consuming poisonous grains as farmers in the area use pesticide on their crops.

He said a group of 24 elephants had been roaming in the area for last few days.

This is the sixth such death of an elephant in the last one year under Dharamjaygarh forest.

Forest department has launched an investigation against a farmer.

He said the exact cause behind the death of the pachyderm would be known through postmortem report, which is awaited.