Jamshedpur: A tusker was found dead near Palubera village at Kandra in adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan, some 20km from here, on Saturday.

Prima facie it seems that the elephant died of snake bite but foresters suspect that it might have succumbed to bacterial infection.

The autopsy of the elephant was conducted in the presence of chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) A.M. Sharma, Jamshedpur DFO Saba Alam Ansari, who is also holding the additional charge of Seraikela-Kharsawan, Dalma range officer R.P. Singh, his Seraikela counterpart Pramod Kumar and Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park vet Ajay Kumar.

Sharma, who came from Ranchi, said prima facie it seems the elephant died of snake bite but bacterial infection could not be ruled out.

The exact cause of death will be known only after examination of the viscera. "We have collected two samples of the viscera for testing at the government laboratory and a private one. We want to fully ascertain the exact cause of death," Sharma added.

The tusker did not have any external injury marks. "The elephant's body did not bear any external injury marks, suggesting that it was not attacked by the villagers," a forester said.

Foresters said the elephant was in a herd but got separated and wound its way to a bamboo farm. "Snakes are generally found in bamboo farms and could have attacked the elephant," one of the foresters said, adding ivory of the tusker was removed before its burial.

According to him, the herd had been roaming in and around Palubera village for some days now but never strayed into the village.