Two tuskers killed, ivory taken away by pochers

Mysore, Jan 12: Two young tuskers were found killed and their tusks missing, at M M Hills forest range in the Chamarajanagara district, about 90 km from here.

Deputy Conservator of Forests K Kumar Pushkar said the elephants aged about 20 to 25 years had been killed about 15 days ago. It was suspected that the ivory poachers might have entered the forest crossing state borders.

Meanwhile border area has been sealed and intensive combing operations were taken up by the authorities. Earlier, the Forest department had arrested four poachers on December 30 last year in the M M Hills areas, he said.

Incidentally hunting elephants for ivory was being reported for the first time in these parts of the forest range after the killing of dreaded forest brigand Veerappan in 2004 by special task force.

UNI