The Forest Department statistics revealed that in 49 cases tusks were recovered and in 11 cases tusks were reportedly stolen. Over 65 male elephants have died during the period. Of them, more than 25 have fallen victims to poaching and others have died of various reasons such as diseases and group fights.

Madikeri division in the Kodagu Forest Circle has recorded the highest number of death with 46. As many as 39 elephants have died in the Virajpet forest division of Kodagu and 18 in the Hunsur forest division falling under the Nagarahole National Park in the last 15 years. Two cases of Anthrax-related deaths were reported in February 2002 from the Anechowkur range in Hunsur.

Liver damage, gastro-related problems, electrocution (Kushalnagar range in Madikeri division in August 2002), getting crushed under falling trees (Thithimathi range in Virajpet forest division in May, 2003), getting mired in slush and death because of starvation (Kallahalla range of Hunsur in March 2003), death because of drinking of illicit hooch (Virajpet range in June 2003), respiratory infection (Thithimathi range in Virajpet in August, 2004), old age were some of the other reasons for the deaths of elephants.

Thithimathi range in Virajpet division, Somwarpet and Kushalnagar ranges in the Madikeri division have recorded the highest number of deaths in the Kodagu Circle.

It is strange to note that the Union Government, which accords permission to the Forest Department even to tranquilise and capture rogue elephants, has preferred to maintain a stoic silence.

The number of deaths was high in 2001-02 during which 28 elephants died. Fifteen elephants were reported dead in the Hunsur division during the year and 10 elephants died in the Madikeri division. D.B. Kuppe range in the Hunsur division recorded nine deaths and five occurred in the Somwarpet range.

There were five deaths in 1991-1992, all in the Madikeri division. Eleven deaths were recorded in 1992-93 and seven in 1993-94. Four deaths were reported in 1995-96 and two each in 1996-97 and 1997-98. There were eight deaths in 1998-99 and it came down to four in the following year.

The toll went up again in 2000-2001 when 12 deaths were reported. There were 10 deaths in 2002-03.

During 2003-04, seven deaths were recorded, with Virajpet division accounting for five and the rest in the Madikeri division.

This year four deaths have been reported of which three are from the Virajpet division.

There is a huge stock of tusks recovered from the forests, according to sources in the department.

The tusks have been shifted to the "Gandhadakoti" in Mysore. The tusks are not kept in the custody of the department here, the sources pointed out.

In the absence of sale of ivory in public or private, what steps are being initiated to dispose of the ivory stock is not known, the sources added.