Hunsur:  Airavata, a  46-year-old tusker, which was captured last year near Pachikallu Betta in Nelamangala taluk and housed at Mathigodu Elephant Camp in Nagarahole National Park, died of heart related ailment recently.

Project Tiger Director R. Ravishankar said that the elephant was also suspected to have died of Tuberculosis. He further said that the exact cause for the elephant’s death would be known only after post-mortem.

“During the conduct of the post-mortem by Veterinarian Dr. Mujeeb, we came to know that water was accumulated on the upper side of the heart (Hydro Pericardium) and the elephant may have died due to this reason,” he said.

Conservator of Forests (CF) R. Ravishankar, Range Forest Officer (RFO) Kirankumar and others visited the spot.