KOLKATA: A fully grown elephant was shot dead by alleged poachers in Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district, a forest official said here on Sunday.

"The carcass of the tusker was located in Buxa on late Saturday night. It was shot dead at least four-five days back. We are suspecting involvement of an unorganized poaching group," principal chief conservator of forests NC Bahuguna told IANS.

Police and forest officials have launched a manhunt for the poachers, he said.

In 2013, two cases of elephant poaching were reported from the reserve.