The body of an elephant found at a distance from the residential area, Tamil Nadu and Kerala Forest Department held an online meeting
Chennai, July 13 (IANS)| Forest departments of both the states are on high alert after a dead wild elephant was found in the Anaikatti forest area falling between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Coimbatore Forest Division team on routine inspection found the carcass of a female elephant, which according to officials was around 13-15 years old. Forest officials confirmed that blood smear samples collected from the elephant contained Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax. Officials said the elephant was bleeding from its mouth and anus after the department had gone for a blood sample test. This is a typical sign of anthrax.
After the confirmation of anthrax in the elephant, the forest department of Tamil Nadu has held an online meeting with the forest department of Kerala as the forest area of Anaikati is shared between the two states. The area is also close to human habitation and most of the people living in the borders have domesticated animals including goats, buffaloes, bulls and cows. The Animal Husbandry Department and Forest Department of both the states are on high alert.
A senior forest official of the Coimbatore Forest Department told IANS, “We are in touch with the Palakkad Forest Division of Kerala as the forest area of Anakatti is shared between the two states and is on a high alert as it is a large border area. ” Meanwhile, the dead elephant’s carcass will be cremated on Tuesday to prevent the spread of the infection. Rangers have also been instructed by both the Coimbatore and Palakkad forest divisions to keep a watch on wild elephants and other wild animals in the forest range of Anaikati.
The Animal Disease Intelligence Unit under the Coimbatore Forest Division is monitoring the situation. Palakkad Forest Division in Kerala is also holding a high level meeting of forest officials, veterinarians and other concerned officials on vaccination of cattle in border areas with the State Animal Husbandry Department. Speaking to IANS, Additional Chief Conservator of Forests (Coimbatore Circle) I. Anvaradin said, “We are investigating with the Kerala Forest Department whether there were any cases of anthrax in that state recently.”