A Special Investigation Team has revealed that ivory and tusks were missing from eight of the 14 wild elephants found dead in Kerala's Malayattoor and Vazhachal forests last year. While poaching is ruled out, the disappearance remains a mystery.
Key Takeaways
- Ivory and tusks were found missing from eight elephant carcasses in Malayattoor and Vazhachal.
- The SIT has ruled out poaching, poisoning, or any human-caused mortality.
- Deaths are attributed to natural accidental causes, including falls during heavy monsoon rains.
- Authorities are investigating why tusks were not recovered from certain carcasses.
In a startling revelation, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has reported that ivory and tusks were missing from the carcasses of eight wild elephants found dead in the Malayattoor and Vazhachal forest divisions of Kerala last year. The probe was conducted following the deaths of 14 elephants between August 2025.
Detailed Findings of the SIT
The report, led by Chief Conservator of Forests D.K. Vinod Kumar, specified that tusks were absent from five female carcasses and ivory was missing from three males. While ivory was successfully recovered from two carcasses in Kandanpara and Manikandanchal, the sex of several other animals could not be determined due to advanced decomposition.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident carries immense weight due to the historical context of the region. A decade ago, the Malayattoor forest area witnessed massive poaching where 16 tuskers were gunned down. Although the current SIT ruled out poaching by stating there was no evidence of 'forcible extraction' from the teeth sockets, the missing ivory remains a significant point of contention for wildlife conservationists.
Most deaths were caused by traumatic injuries sustained from falls while navigating steep river banks during high water flow.
The Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW) of Kerala has sought an official explanation regarding the non-recovery of tusks from a male elephant found dead at the Kuttampuzha Range. Forest officials have suggested that the tusks might have been washed downstream by heavy currents or trapped in rock crevices in the inaccessible terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Was poaching responsible for the elephant deaths?
No, the SIT has officially ruled out poaching, poisoning, or any anthropogenic interference based on socket examinations.
2. Why couldn't the forest department recover all the ivory?
The terrain is highly inaccessible, and heavy monsoon currents likely washed the tusks downstream or lodged them in crevices.
