Chased Makhna dies after falling into septic tank in the Nilgiris district

Nicknamed ‘Nadodi’ Ganesan by locals, the jumbo had strayed into Palawadi village in ‘O’ Valley area around 6 am. On receiving information, the Forest department personnel came to the spot.

“The jumbo, which crossed the Gudalur-Barwood Road, was goaded to enter a coffee estate. Unexpectedly the animal stepped on a septic tank behind a house. Unable to bear the weight, a portion of the concrete-covered tank caved in and one of the elephant’s front limbs got stuck resulting in its fall,” said a source. 

The Forest department personnel with the help of locals tried to rescue Ganesan, but the elephant which was in pain died after a struggle of over two and a half hours.  

The villagers identified ‘Nadodi’ Ganesan to be a friendly and harmless animal. The jumbo was very familiar to them as it was found wandering around in our neighbourhood over the past several years. “Though it did not harm us physically, the elephant used to raid our plantations and damage the crops, forcing us to take frequent help of the Forest department to chase it away,” said R Manikandan, a resident of Pandalur. 

Meanwhile, environmentalists cited the lack of a permanent veterinarian for the Forest department in the Nilgiris as the reason for the death of wild animals.  

 “A veterinarian got transferred three months ago and since then the post remains vacant. We are now taking the help of Animal Husbandry department veterinarians to attend cases of emergencies,” said a Forest department staff.

An autopsy on Ganesan’s corpse was performed by veterinarian David Mohan attached to the Animal Husbandry department. The elephant was buried near the spot where he died. 

Makhna elephant refers to the male jumbos without tusks. Tusks are modified upper incisor teeth. The makhnas contrast with tuskers, which have the tusks. All African elephants, male and female, have tusks whereas only some Asian males have tusks. About 50 per cent of Asian females have short tusks known as tushes.