Tusker Killed in Kerala
3rd August, 2004
A tusker was shot
dead and its tusks removed by poachers, in Kerala, on
30 July 2004. Reports received by the Wildlife Protection
Society of India (WPSI) indicate that on the night of
30 July 2004, local tribal people in the Kuttampuzha
Range of Malayatoor Forest Division heard the sound
of a bullet being fired, followed by the screaming of
an elephant. They then informed the Forest Department.
On reaching the site, Forest officials found the trunk
of the tusker detached from the body and flesh removed
from its thighs. There were also remnants of a tent
and arrangements made for drying flesh in the area.
So far, nobody has been suspected or arrested in this
case.
It is shocking that poaching continues in one of the
prime habitats of the Asian elephant. The Illegal trade
in ivory has been the major factor for the decline in
the Asian elephant population in India. WPSI has records
of 206 elephants killed in India during the period of
2000-2003.
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