Tragic Elephant Clash: A Battle in the Bushes

A male elephant, aged 45-50, was found dead in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, suspected to have died in a fight with another elephant. The location was difficult to access, requiring a river crossing by boat and travel by jeep and two-wheeler. Post-mortem confirmed the cause of death as a fight.

The carcass of a male elephant, aged between 45 to 50 years, was discovered in the dense Katarniaghat forest, according to a senior forest department official.

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, part of Dudhwa National Park, witnessed a tragic incident when reports emerged about the elephant's death in the trans-Gerua region.

H. Raja Mohan, Field Director of Dudhwa National Park, disclosed the arduous journey to the inaccessible site, involving a river boat crossing and a trek with a jeep and two-wheeler. Evidence at the scene suggested a violent encounter between two elephants, likely leading to the death earlier in the week. A post-mortem conducted by a panel of three veterinarians confirmed the death caused by a confrontation, with the elephant's age estimated at 45 to 50 years. Following the examination, the body was buried in compliance with procedure, while samples were sent for detailed analysis at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute to check for diseases or toxins.

(With inputs from agencies.)