The Forest department has conducted an autopsy on the carcasses of four wild elephants, two of them calves, which were found in the Pachakkanam forests in the Ranni Forest Division on Saturday.
The elephants were believed to have been struck by lightning in the forests at Varayadinkokka near Pachakkanam four days ago. The carcasses were found in a putrified condition at Varayadinkokka on Friday.
According to official sources, the pachyderms have sustained severe burns all over the body and experts with the Forest department too have reached the conclusion that the wild animals might have been fatally struck by a lightning.
Autopsy on the carcasses was carried out by a Forest department team headed by the wildlife veterinary surgeon, Sreejith, in the forenoon.
Mr. Rajaraja Varma, Chief Wildlife Warden, inspected the spot of the mishap on Saturday.
Mr. R. Kamalahar, Divisional Forest Officer, Ranni; and H.T. Jose, Forest Range Officer, Goodrickal, were camping at Kochu Pampa near Pachakkanam to supervise the autopsy.
The carcasses would be burnt in the forests on Sunday, official sources said.
