Yellapur: An injured elephant, sighted regularly since a fortnight, in Kiravatti, Mudanur parts, in the taluk, was found dead near Tenginakeri, Kiravatti, on Thursday.

Villagers accused forest officials saying the elephant had died due to the sheer apathy of the officials. The elephant, aged 17, was ailing due to gangrene, and was unable to walk. The elephant which had moved towards Tatwal, border village in the taluk, was found dead near Tenginageri.

Inspecting the dead elephant, Department of Animal Husbandry’s District Director Govind Bhat said the caracass had decayed. It was impossible to save the elephant, even though it would have been rescued by the forest department, he clarified.

However, villagers claimed that forest officials failed to provide timely treatment despite aware of its critical condition. Meanwhile, National Youth Awardee M Ravindra, has written to the governor and PCCF against the negligence of forest department officials. He has stated that the department should have taken the pachydrem into custody to provide treatment.

Incidentally, Assistant Conservator of Forest Ashok Bhat had stated that the elephant would be rescued and shifted to Sakrebail elephant camp or releated into the forest.