Tusker body

TT, Siliguri, Oct. 20: The carcass of an adult tusker was found in Kalabari forest, about 30km from Siliguri, this morning.

Foresters of Panighata range in the Kurseong forest division got information from local people about the carcass near the India-Nepal border in the elephant corridor that stretches from the Mechi river at the border to Sankosh on the Bengal-Assam border.

"Our staff have visited the spot. We suspect the animal died after fighting in its group as a huge herd of elephants is roaming in the area. We are waiting for the post-mortem report," S. Sherpa, the divisional forest officer of Kurseong forest division, said.

Sources said a herd of 130-odd elephants was in the forests of Naxalbari and Bagdogra now. "There is always a chance of infighting among two tuskers. There is no such injury on the body to make us suspect foul play," an official said.