Mutilated body of tusker found

The carcass of the tusker, suspected to have been killed by poachers a few days ago, was found in Kawasing reserve forest in Rani area this morning, forest officials said.

A large part of the animal's flesh was also found missing from the carcass, the officials said.

This was the sixth elephant to have been killed in the state this month.

A fully mature male elephant died two weeks ago after receiving bullet injuries on its feet.

The carcass of another tusker, which was suspected to have been poisoned, was found on December 11 with both its tusks removed at Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary under Jorhat Forest Division.

An ailing male tusker died and its flesh and trunk was hacked by unidentified persons at Dulung Reserve Forest in Lakhimpur district on December seven last.

Two male elephants were electrocuted by high voltage wires in Golaghat district on December four when a herd of about 40 elephants came down from neighbouring Karbi Hills to a paddy field.

An injured elephant was stuck in the mud for several days and its tusks were found removed, which forest officials claimed was due to infighting with another tusker near Pancharatna in Goalpara district.