An elephant calf was found dead at Kandha Vayal area in Sirumugai forest range this morning.

According to villagers, a herd of around 20 elephants last night entered the 2-acre land, belonging to one Mani Mohan, where banana crops were grown. Villagers informed the forest officials, who rushed to the spot and drove away the elephants after an hour-long struggle.

This morning the villagers again spotted four elephants in the field. Forest officials, who arrived at the scene on information, drove away the elephants and found the carcass of a calf.

Forest officials said the calf could have been trampled to death by other elephants. An autopsy would be conducted soon, they added.