Elephant calf dies after swallowing country-made bomb in Tamil Nadu

A two-year-old female elephant calf has died after swallowing a country-made bomb in the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve , forest officials said on Tuesday. The calf was found dead in the Guthiyalathur reserve forest , with bleeding injuries in its trunk and mouth. A veterinary autopsy confirmed that the explosive caused the elephant’s death.

Forest officials suspect the bomb may have been planted by a poacher or local farmer to deter elephants from entering fields. Following an investigation, authorities arrested 43-year-old farmer Kalimuthu , who is suspected to be responsible. Details of the FIR and formal charges have not been publicly released.

The forest department, which discovered the calf during a routine patrol, facilitated the autopsy and investigation, and arranged for the burial of the carcass in the forest . Officials highlighted the incident as a tragic case of human-wildlife conflict .

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 , along with provisions of the Explosives Act and IPC , could be invoked against those responsible, though formal charges are yet to be disclosed.