Ivory and tush missing from eight dead wild elephants of Malayattoor, Vazhachal forests of Kerala
A special investigation into the deaths of 14 wild elephants in Kerala found that ivory and tush were missing from eight carcasses. The report concluded that the deaths were caused by natural accidents rather than poaching, despite the missing tusks.
Why it matters
The disappearance of ivory from protected wildlife carcasses raises concerns about forest management and the potential for illegal wildlife trade.
Ivory and tush were found missing from the carcasses of eight of the 14 wild elephants found dead in Malayattoor and Vazhachal forest divisions of Kerala last year.
A Special Investigation Team, which probed the “monsoon-associated elephant deaths in Malayattoor and Vazhachal Forest Divisions” between August 6 and August 3, 2025, has reported the loss of ivory and tush from the carcasses.
The report prepared by a team led by D.K. Vinod Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests, High Range Circle, Kottayam, found that tush were absent in five female carcasses and ivory in three males. It was also found that ivory was present only in two males and tush in two females.
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