Elephant tusk could make jumbo splash

Forest department officials seize 8.3-ft-tusk weighing 44 kg that might find mention in the Guinness Book of Records.

Forest department officials seize 8.3-ft-tusk weighing 44 kg that might find mention in the Guinness Book of Records.

Will the 8.3-feet-elephant tusk recently seized by the forest department in Chikmagalur find a mention in the Guinness Book of Records?

"The tusk, which weighs an amazing 44 kg, found in Chikmagalur should easily make it to the Guinness Book of Records. The size and length of the tusk makes it a rare find," said a forest department official.

The tusk was found last week in a coffee estate in Chikmagalur during a raid by forest officials who suspected that the property was being used to store teak wood.

The mammoth tusk was found last week in a coffee estate in Chikmagalur during a raid by forest officials

So concerned are the officials for the safety of the tusk, that they have ensured that the news of its seizure does not become public knowledge.

The heaviest tusk recovered so far by the wildlife office of the Principal Conservator of Forests measures about 4-feet and weighs about 24 kg, sources said.

Wildlife expert Sharath Babu R agrees that the tusk is huge. "It's length and weight outdo all the tusks found in the state so far. We would not be surprised if it does find its way to the Guinness Book of Records."

Too big to resist

"As it is a rare and invaluable tusk, ensuring security has become an issue of concern for officials," added the source.
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"Officials are fearful that the tusk may attract the attention of criminal elements. No wonder, they are being so tightlippedu00a0 about this."

Top forest officials however said that the tusk might not be the biggest.

"We need not give importance to its size and weight. This tusk may not be the lengthiest," explained BK Singh, Principal Conservator of Forests (Wildlife). "We have seen many of this size. Some were even longer."

Did you know?
The heaviest tusk recovered so far by the wildlife office of the Principal Conservator of Forests measures about 4-feet and weighs about 24 kg