Poacher died of gun shot injury: Police

A poacher, who was stated to have been trampled to death by wild elephants in Thattekad forests, died of blood loss from a country-made gun shot injury he suffered, police said todday.

"It was not the elephant attack that led to the death of Tony Mathew. Initial report we obtained from doctors who conducted autopsy say that he died due to the blood loss from the gun shot wound he sustained," a police official said.

Forest officials had said yesterday that 26-year old Tony was trampled to death by elephants. He had also sustained injuries when the country-made gun he was carrying accidentally went off hitting its bullet in his own thigh. Police said they were conducting a thorough probe into the incident.
 

They said they believe that another gang member, Basil, undergoing treatment at a private hospital with serious injuries, and two persons who are absconding will be able to provide more details about the incident.

Police said the gang had come under the attack of wild elephants when they went inside the forests allegedly for the purpose of poaching of wild animals.

The gang members allegedly ran when they saw the wild elephants in their path in jungle at night. Forest officials had said a case has been registered against the gang under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Weapons and other equipment used for hunting were recovered from the spot, they had said.