Wild tusker, known as Kasera Komban, found dead in abandoned septic tank in Kerala’s Malappuram

Wild tusker 'Kasera Komban' found dead in abandoned tank in Malappuram, Kerala, possibly due to old age.

A wild tusker was found dead in an abandoned septic tank at Cholamunda, near Moothedam, in Malappuram, Kerala, on Thursday. Local residents found the elephant in the tank adjoining the forest boundary of Karulai range in Nilambur south division.

People used to affectionately call this elephant ‘Kasera Komban’ because of its remarkably long tusks, which resembled the arms of a chair, stretching nearly three feet in length.

Forest officials said that the elephant was around 50 years old, and the death could be due to old age. The animal looked emaciated, and a wound on its body had been infested with maggots.

The elephant was a familiar sight in the village. However, it had never shown aggression towards the locals.

According to forest officials, the elephant’s fatal fall into the unused septic tank, which was only less than two metres deep and covered with a tarpaulin, was unlikely to be the direct cause of its death.