TIRUNELVELI, India — The recent death of a translocated elephant known as Radhakrishnan has raised significant concerns about wildlife management efforts in the region. Found deceased in the Upper Gothaiyar area of the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) on November 18, 2025, the elephant’s post-mortem examination revealed it succumbed to severe skull fractures and significant internal bleeding after falling from a height.
Radhakrishnan, a 30-year-old tusker, was relocated from Ayyankolli in the Nilgiris, where it was implicated in the deaths of 12 humans over the past decade. The last recorded incident involved the tragic killing of 62-year-old K. Mani, a retired tea estate worker, earlier in August. Following its capture on September 23, Radhakrishnan was rehabilitated at Varakaliyar camp and subsequently released back into the wild on October 26.
Initial health assessments indicated Radhakrishnan was healthy, as it adapted well to its surroundings and actively foraged. Forest personnel tracked its movements using a fitted radio-collar, receiving data until November 16. When signals ceased, a search team was dispatched, eventually discovering the elephant’s lifeless body two days later.
The post-mortem, conducted by veterinary experts on November 20, pinpointed the cause of death as a fatal fall resulting from a misstep on rocky terrain. The examination revealed that Radhakrishnan had slipped while navigating an 8-meter slope. It reportedly lost its footing, tumbling approximately 20 feet before landing on a tarred surface, with no signs of struggle or effort to save itself.
Despite the condition of its carcass indicating good overall health, including muscle development and fat reserves, the injuries sustained from the fall were catastrophic. The examination noted extensive hemorrhaging in the paranasal sinuses and significant bruising on the right side of its body. No evidence of electrocution was found, affirming the fall was the primary cause of the elephant’s demise.
The incident has reignited discussions about the management and rehabilitation of elephants that pose threats to human life. Conservationists and wildlife officials continue to grapple with the complexities of balancing wildlife safety while protecting human communities, making the death of Radhakrishnan a poignant reminder of the challenges faced in maintaining this delicate equilibrium.