Forest Department officials spotted a decapitated elephant carcass in the Srivilliputtur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve area at Pannaikadu and detained two persons from whom they recovered the tusks on Friday.
Officials told mediapersons on Sunday that following information, veterinarians from the Department of Veterinary Sciences visited the forest and found an elephant carcass with the head severed and taken away.
The post-mortem indicated that the elephant was about 40 years old and must have died a few days ago. “Noticing the carcass, the accused had severed the head with the intent of stealing the tusks,” an official said.
After investigation, two suspects — Mokka Raja, 40, and Peria Thavasi, 42 — were detained. Based on their confession, Forest Department officials seized the tusks.
The officials said possession of tusks was illegal, and the accused persons would be held on poaching and other charges.
A senior officer, who supervised the operation, said the team was on the look-out for a few more suspects in the crime.
Published – June 28, 2026 07:19 pm IST