Jagathsinghpur: Barely three days after reports of mysterious mass killing of sheep resurfaced from Niali in Cuttack district, a similar case was found in Biridi block of Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur on Friday.
According to sources, as many as 15 sheep belonging to Prafulla Barik of Sankharisahi under Biridi area were mysteriously found dead. The incident has triggered panic in the area.
“In the morning, I was shocked to see all 15 sheep in the enclosure dead with their throats badly bruised,” Barik said.
Though the exact reason for the death of the sheep is not known, the residents have held some unknown animals responsible for the killing, and demanded compensation for the affected farmer.
On being informed, a team of veterinary doctors visited the area and started an investigation into the incident. They have examined footprints of the suspected animals at the site.
It may be noted here that a farmer of Gunadola Thakura Pokhari Sahi under Kantapada block in Cuttack lost 9 sheep three days ago. A few days back, 20 sheep of another farmer were found dead in the same village.
Niali had witnessed similar mayhem in 2017. The killing spree of sheep by mysterious animal/s was first reported in June that year. In two months time, over 250 sheep were killed in the region. The expert team of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) had then suggested that all evidence pointed to a wolf. In April, 2021, mystery animals created chaos in the neighbouring Balipatna block, killing a few sheep.
