Foresters tranquillised an adult wild tusker in a tea garden near Malbazar on Wednesday morning, but the animal died soon after its shift to the Gorumara National Park.

Sources said the elephant had strayed out of Apalchand forest and entered Nepuchapur tea estate. The foresters said they suspected the animal was ill and were waiting for post-mortem report to confirm the cause of the death.

“The elephant appeared to be sick as it was moving very slowly and halting regularly. It went on roaming in the plantation and also moved to adjoining areas like Nijambari and Uttar Golabari,” said a worker of Nepuchapur.

The animal had been taken to Gorumara on a truck.