23-year-old Lakshmisha was given to Forest Department from a temple in Puttur

Mysuru: An elephant in musth, which was captured, collapsed and died at Kolangeri Forest area in Nagarahole last evening.

The 23-year-old elephant named Lakshmisha was in Mathigodu Elephant camp and was in musth. He had strayed into the forest and the Forest officials in a bid to prevent him from entering human habitat, conducted an operation and with the help of other tamed elephants captured Lakshmisha and were bringing it to the camp during which it collapsed and died. Lakshmisha was given to the Forest Department from a temple at Puttur.

As it was late in the evening, the post-mortem will be conducted today, it is learnt.

Veterinarian accused of negligence: Meanwhile, it is alleged that Lakshmisha had escaped from the camp about four days back and during the operation to capture him, he was shot with more tranquilliser darts and was being dragged to the camp without even removing the chains from his legs, which resulted in his death.

It is also learnt that tranquilliser darts are not fired on elephants in musth and Lakshmisha may have suffered internal injuries while being captured by other elephants, which may have resulted in his death. But the exact cause of death would be known only after the post-mortem is conducted.