A wild elephant that strayed into the plantation of a tea estate in western Dooars was found dead on Friday morning, with electrocution suspected as the cause.

Though autopsy report is awaited, it seems the elephant died after touching a power cable dangling from an electric pole in the garden.

Foresters recovered the carcass and accused the tea garden management of carelessness.

The carcass was discovered by some residents of Haldibari tea estate near Banarhat and under Dhupguri lock of Jalpaiguri district.

They informed the manager-level personnel who in turn informed foresters. Soon, a team from the wildlife squad in Binnaguri went to the spot. The area was cordoned off and an excavator pressed to remove the elephant carcass amid hundreds of curious onlookers.

“We have found a live wire dangling nearby and suspect that the elephant came in contact with it. The management should be more careful as power cables pass through the garden and a snapped wire can lead to human and animal deaths or injuries. We are waiting for the elephant’s post-mortem report,” said a forester.

A team from WBSEDCL also visited the site. An inquiry and necessary repairs would be done, said sources.