BANDIPUR: Thaneer Komban, the rogue tusker that brought Mananthavady to its knees on Friday, died in unknown circumstances on early Saturday morning, just hours after being released into the Bandipur forest. Karnataka's Principal Forest Conservator confirmed that the elephant died at the Ramapura Elephant Camp in Bandipur this morning. A special team was constituted to investigate the mysterious circumstances in which the elephant died. Thaneer Komban was tranquilized twice in 20 days.

A team of veterinary surgeons will soon reach Bandipur. The postmortem of the elephant will be conducted on Saturday in the presence of both doctors from Kerala and Karnataka. It was after a tedious 17-hour-long mission that Thaneer Komban was tranquillized from Mananthavady region and brought to Bandipur on Friday night.

“It is very sad news. Let’s wait for the postmortem report to arrive so we can conclude how the death happened. I think it’s not wise to indulge in assumptions at this time.” said minister A K Saseendran.

The death evoked shock as the forest officials declared the elephant as fully fit just one day before. Thaneer Komban’s dead remains are presently kept at Ramapura camp in Bandipur for post-mortem procedure.