Elephant calf found dead in forest near Thalavadi hills in Erode

A male elephant calf, estimated to be about a year old, was found dead on Saturday morning (February 7, 2026) in a forest area near Thalavadi hills in Erode district.

The carcass was located in the forest area near Arulvadi village, under the Jeerahalli Forest Range of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. Forest sources said a group of four wild elephants was seen remaining close to the calf and moving around the area, preventing officials from approaching the body initially.

Local hill villagers, who noticed the situation, alerted the Forest Department. Officials rushed to the spot but faced difficulty in retrieving the carcass as the elephants continued to stay near it.

After nearly an hour, the forest staff managed to drive the herd away and recover the carcass.

Forest officials said the cause of death was not immediately known. Veterinary officers have been informed, and the exact cause will be determined after a post-mortem examination.