Kochi: Two days after a youngster was killed during a poaching attempt in a forest near Thattekad bird sanctuary, it emerged Friday that the 26-year-old Keralite was not killed by elephants but that he died from a bullet wound.
Tony Mathew bled to his death after he suffered a bullet injury on his thigh, initial findings of a post-mortem suggested. The bullet was recovered from his body. No other severe injuries were spotted on his body during the post-mortem conducted at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital.
A detailed post-mortem report is awaited.
On Thursday, forest officials had said that Tony was trampled to death and another seriously injured in an attack by wild elephants in the forest where a four-member gang allegedly went for poaching.
Tony's thigh bone was crushed to bits in the firing and the loss of blood led to his death, the post-mortem revealed. The impact was so strong as the bullet was fired from a country gun. It is not known whether Tony shot himself accidentally or if the gun was fired by someone else. Tony was taken to hospital only one-and-a-half-hour after the incident.
The police are now trying to bring in ballistic experts to examine the case.
Meanwhile, Basil, 30, who was injured, continued to remain critical at a hospital in Aluva, reports said.
Two others – Sajith and Anish –have gone into hiding.
Forest officials said a case had been registered against the gang under the relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.