A 15-year old tusker-less male elephant was found dead near a tribal habitat in Valparai in the district, in the early hours of Saturday.

The forest rangers and personnel on night rounds noticed the carcass of the elephant and informed the higher officials.

The Divisional Forest Officer, Ashokan and Veterinarian, Dr. Manoharan, along with some department officials rushed to the spot and carried out post mortem, according to Forest Department sources.

However, the cause of death could not be immediately ascertained and different parts of the animal were sent for analysis to the laboratories, they said.