New born elephant calf found dead

A weeks old elephant calf was found dead in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve camp today, close on the heels of the death of a one-month old calf in the same area.

The calf was found lying dead some distance away from a water body by some tea estate workers who alerted the forest department, police said.

Forest officials along with veterinary surgeon Vijayaraghavan rushed to the spot and conducted its post-mortem and later buried the calf.

Vijaraghavan said dysentery could be the cause of the death. The viscera of the animal has been sent for examination, he added.

A one-month old elephant calf, which was found loitering in Sirumugai forest and taken to MTR camp, died two days ago.