Ooty: In an effort to discourage the poaching of animals, the officials of Coimbatore’s forest department destroyed the tusks and nails of elephants and leopard by burning then in a bonfire today.

About 20 female elephant tusks, measuring 5.5 centimetre to 31 centimetres long, 18 nails and four teeth of leopard were destroyed in fire.

The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) Director Srinivasa Reddy said that it was done to create awareness among the people that such things have no value and are not meant to be sold.