Male wild elephant found dead in Masinagudi Division in the Nilgiris

UDHAGAMANDALAM A male wild elephant was found dead in the Masinagudi Division of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris on Saturday (November 7, 2026). Field staff who were on a routine patrol spotted the carcass of the tusker in a stream at Anaimoolai area, which falls under the Kookkal Thoraihalla forest beat in the Nilgiri Eastern Slope forest range. Senior officials inspected the carcass that had both tusks intact.

As per the instructions of the Deputy Director of the Masinagudi Division, a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon from Theppakadu elephant camp performed the post-mortem examination on the carcass in the presence of personnel from the Tamil Nadu Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, Forest Department staff and representatives from non-governmental organisations. Since the internal organs of the elephant were decomposed, the cause of death could not be confirmed immediately. Samples were collected from the carcass for laboratory analysis.

This is the third elephant death reported in the Masinagudi Division in November.