The tusker who died while undergoing treatment for a severe forehead wound at Kodanadu died of cardiopulmonary failure, a necropsy has revealed. The primary cause of death was cardiac arrest, and gross lesions visible to the naked eye were found on the elephant's brain, heart and lungs. Samples have been collected and sent for histopathological examination, veterinary specialists associated with the necropsy said.

The elephant, which was found with a deep, maggot-infested wound on the forehead, was translocated from Athirappilly to the rehabilitation centre in Kodanad for treatment on Thursday. The animal collapsed in the kraal on Friday noon. The mission to translocate the elephant spanned days before it was tranquillized and transported to Kodanad.

The wound on the forehead, which was 1 ft deep, was badly infected. The wound had widened and the opening resembled the mouth of a pot, a veterinarian said. The infection spread to the root of the brain causing meningitis. Internal organs were also affected. Necropsy also revealed septicemia,; blood poisoning caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream. The organ failure was precipitated by the severe nature of the infection, the officials said.

No foreign objects or bullets were found in the elephant's body. The fatal wound resulted from a hit injury caused by a sharp object, probably during a fight with another tusker, officials said.