Sambalpur: Carcasses of a female elephant and a tusker were found in Tileimal Patra forest under Bamra Badarama range at Kuchinda in Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Thursday.
On being informed, the forest department officials arrived at the spot and recovered the carcasses for further investigation.
From the preliminary investigation, it is suspected that the elephants may have consumed the pesticide that was used in the paddy field. However, the exact reason for their death is yet to be ascertained.
The increase in the number of elephant deaths has raised concern for the forest department. It is pertinent to mention here that a three-member team, constituted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), visited Athagarh Forest Division, Dhenakanal Forest Division, and Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Angul on August 27 and 28.
The team was led by former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Surendra Kumar while the two other members were scientist Billal Habib and Joint Director of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau HV Girisha.
Also read: Elephant Skeleton Found Inside Forest In Odisha’s Angul
