Special team formed to nab accused in elephant-burning case

Almost a year ago, an adult tusker died from injuries after a burning object was thrown at him by three men, two of whom ran a resort-cum residence in the buffer zone of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

The Forest Department has formed a special team to trace one of the accused responsible for the death of an elephant in the buffer zone of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) last year.

Almost one year ago, the elephant, an adult tusker, known locally as ‘Ronaldo’ or ‘S.I.’ died from the injuries he suffered after three men, including two brothers running a resort-cum-residence in the buffer zone, , that got stuck around its head, leading to it sustaining severe burn injuries. After almost a week after it suffered the injuries, the elephant, believed to be around 40 years old and one of the largest tuskers in the landscape, died from its injuries while being taken by the Forest Department to the Theppakadu Elephant Camp for treatment.