A female elephant died of anthrax in Periyanaickenpalayam forest range of the Coimbatore Forest Division, forcing the Forest and the Animal Husbandry Departments to step up vigil against the disease.

Forest Department staff spotted the carcass during a routine patrol within the Gopanari reserve forest of the Periyanaickenpalayam range around 4 p.m. on October 13.

According to the department, the carcass appeared to be about a day old. After reviewing the photographs of the carcass, veterinarians raised suspicion of a possible anthrax infection. 

Blood smear sample collected from the carcass was sent to the Animal Husbandry Department on Wednesday. The department examined the sample and confirmed the presence of Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax.

A senior official from the Forest Department said that the carcass was burnt on Thursday, without opening it, as per the protocol based on instructions from the Animal Husbandry Department.

Persons who handled the carcass wore personal protective equipment while carrying out the task.