The Forest Department has launched an investigation to trace the origins of an elephant tusk, which was found hidden in thickets in Pollachi range of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR).

Staff from Pollachi range recovered the tusk from a forest area near Sethumadai based on specific information. Residents of a tribal settlement had noticed the tusk hidden in thickets where they were engaged in wild honey collection. Word of mouth on the tusk among the tribals reached the ears of the Forest Department staff, who combed the location and recovered it on June 1.

Though the staff patrolled the forest area, they could not find skeletal remains of an elephant. The tusk, after routine procedures, was submitted to the jurisdictional court.

ATR Field Director D. Venkatesh said that the tusk appears to be very old. Its base did not have signs of having severed from the skull with a tool as done by poachers.

“Its base appeared natural as if someone collected it from old skeletal remains of a tusker. Investigation is on to trace the person, who hid it in the forest,” he said.

Devendra Kumar Meena, Deputy Director of Pollachi Division of ATR, said there was not cut marks on the tusk. He said the Department was investigating from all possible angles.