TIRUNELVELI, India — The tragic fate of Radhakrishnan, a translocated elephant, has drawn attention after its death in the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. The 30-year-old tusker was found on November 18, 2025, with the post-mortem report revealing it suffered fatal injuries after a dangerous fall.
Radhakrishnan was captured on September 23, 2025, in Ayyankolli, a decision made after the elephant was linked to numerous human fatalities over the past decade, including the death of a retired tea worker in August. After its capture, the elephant was rehabilitated at the Varakaliyar camp before being released in Upper Gothaiyar on October 26. Initially, forest officials reported that Radhakrishnan appeared healthy and was actively foraging with the help of a fitted radio-collar.
On November 16, signals from the collar stopped, prompting a search that led to the elephant’s carcass being discovered nearly two days later. This prompted concerns that it may have passed away shortly after the last signal.
Veterinary professionals from the Veterinary College and Research Institute conducted the post-mortem on November 20. Findings indicated that Radhakrishnan had sustained numerous skull fractures and severe hemorrhaging caused by a fall from a height of around 20 feet. The report detailed that the elephant fell on a tarred slope, head-down, following its loss of balance while navigating a rocky area.
According to the report, evidence at the scene suggested that Radhakrishnan had slipped and lost its footing on a large rock. The trajectory of the fall was compounded by the area’s steep gradient, which led to a rapid and fatal descent. Notably, there were no signs of struggle, indicating the elephant likely succumbed instantly to its injuries.
Despite having a well-maintained physique at the time of death, the injuries were severe, with significant internal bleeding evident. Investigators noted that the paranasal sinuses were filled with blood clots resulting from the impact, but ruled out electrocution as a cause of death.
The circumstances surrounding Radhakrishnan’s demise highlight the complexities of managing wildlife in populated areas, especially concerning elephants that have been implicated in human casualties. The loss of such a majestic animal raises critical questions about habitat safety and the intersecting challenges between wildlife conservation and human activities in shared environments.