JOIN USThe calf was found dead near an elephant trench. Forest officials suspect that the calf may have died about five days ago due to natural causes. The head of the animal was completely decomposed.
Following an autopsy performed by veterinarian from Somavarapete, Dr Lakshmikanth, the remains of the animal was burnt by Zonal Forest Officer M S Jayaprakash and his staff.
Forest officials said that just a week ago Chikkara, Kooguru and Hirikara villagers had complained that a herd of elephants were creating havoc in their fields.
Villagers complained that while the forest department had dug out a five-km long trench to prevent the elephants from entering the villages, the trenches were filled up in most places due to landslides.
As a result, elephants could easily enter the villages, they said. “The trenches have been of no use to us. Elephants from Banavara and Nidtha reserve forests continue to enter our villages and destroy our crops,” complained K A Dharmappa, K R Thimmappa and Hemanth from Kooguru village.