The carcass of a wild tusker was found from a paddy field in Maharajaghat under Rajganj block of Jalpaiguri on the fringes of Baikunthapur forest division on Sunday morning.

“Some local residents spotted the carcass in the field and informed us. Our men went to the spot and recovered it. Vets have been called for post-mortem,” said a state forest department official. “Apparently, there is no external injury in the elephant’s carcass. We suspect a case of electrocution but can confirm it only after we get the post-mortem report,” he added.

In Rajganj block, elephant depredation in villages on the fringes of the forests is common. On a number of occasions, the elephants enter human habitats, damaging crops and hutments and sometimes attacking people.

There have been incidents when elephants have died of electrocution as the local residents laid live wires along their fields to prevent elephants from entering their areas.

Following the elephant’s death, senior officials have also instructed their subordinates to keep a tab over movement of elephants in and around Maharajaghat area, said sources.