Coimbatore: Elephant, was found dead in the reserve forest near the center of Salim Ali for Ornithology and Natural History at Anaikatti here on Monday, has died of Anthrax, an official of the Ministry of Forestry told toi.frontline staff of the coimbatore forest range, which was in patrols, has found an elephant carcass between 12 and 15 years old.
Veterinarians from Anaikatti and Veerapandi collected samples for testing.
“Blood flows from the anus and elephant mouth, an indication of anthrax infection,” said Sukumar forest animal officers.
“Postmortem will be done after getting a blood smear sample from the laboratory,” he said.
“The blood was tested positive for anthrax on Monday night.
If veterinary officers do an autopsy, there is a possibility of spreading to other wild animals.
So, the carcass will be cremated in the Forest Reserve on Tuesday,” said a senior official.
Our elephants have died of anthrax in the last 10 years in Coimbatore, said the source.
To prevent the spread of anthrax, the department has urged the Ministry of Animal Husbandry to vaccinate livestock in villages on the outskirts of Anaikatti forests and its surroundings.
The animal disease intelligence unit attached to the livestock department is monitoring the development.