JAGIROAD, Nov 13: A wild elephant was found dead at Shilsang in Assam's Morigaon district early on Friday, with two bullet marks visible on its head.
Local residents suspected that poachers had shot the elephant. They said the animal had come down from the Kholahat forest area with a herd in search of food.
Forest department personnel reached the spot in the morning. A team of doctors from the Veterinary College at Khanapara in Guwahati conducted a post-mortem examination.
Special Branch personnel of Assam Police examined the elephant's head with a metal detector and confirmed the presence of bullets. Forest officials and police personnel were present during the examination.
Local residents suspected the involvement of poachers from Meghalaya. Police began an investigation, but the motive and the identities of those involved were yet to be established.
On May 12, the body of another wild elephant with gunshot injuries was found in the Topatali forest area.
