5 jumbo deaths in Pernambut this month, probe on

THE carcasses of three elephants, including a calf, were found in a decomposed state in the private Bhaimala forest, under the Pernambut forest range here on Thursday, during a patrol by the forest department field staff.

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District forest officer TK Ashok Kumar told TNJE that all three elephants were found near a pond, with one elephant aged approximately two to three years, found lying inside it. Another, aged about four to five years, was located 10m away from the pond, while the third elephant, aged around six to seven years, was found 15 metres away. He added that the elephants are believed to have died a few weeks ago. The exact cause of death can be determined only after experts examine the carcasses on Friday, the DFO said.