Madikeri: An elephant was found drowned in a lake at a coffee estate in Marandoda village near Kakkabe, north Kodagu.

A herd of elephants was spotted on Sunday evening in the vicinity of the village and it is suspected that the elephant calf may have slipped and fallen into the lake when the herd went to the lake to drink water. 

Marks of elephants trying to pull out the calf have been found at the lake bund. The lake is filled with water following rains and the elephant calf may have fallen into the lake accidentally and drowned, it is suspected.

Estate workers, who reported to work yesterday morning, found the calf drowned and informed the estate owner, who in turn informed the Forest officials. The Forest staff, who reached the spot, conducted mahazar and with the help of estate workers and villagers, fished out the body of the calf from the lake.

Post-mortem was conducted at the spot and the carcass was cremated.