Kushalnagar: A female elephant, which had ventured into the Cauvery River on Wednesday morning to quench its thirst, has met its tragic end.

The incident took place at Palluru and Maldare of Meenukolli at Kushalnagar Range in Madikeri Division of Kodagu Circle.

The elephant’s carcass was seen floating in the middle of the river which was fished out using a boat by Range Forest Officer (RFO) R. Rakshit, Chief Veterinarian Dr. Mujeeb and Veterinarian Dr. Chittiappa, under the guidance of Assistant Conservator of Forests  (ACF) A.A. Gopal.

The carcass after being pulled to the edge of the river using a boat was later pulled to the shore using a tamed elephant.

Post-mortem was conducted by Dr. Mujeeb and Dr. Chittiappa, who confirmed that the elephant had died of drowning and not because of gunshot or electrocution.