Bhubaneswar: Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Debidutta Biswal on Tuesday confirmed that Ramu, a popular elephant of Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary on Bhubaneswar outskirts, died of electrocution.
“The tusker died after coming in contact with a live electric wire. Its trunk bore marks of electric shock. While the postmortem report has indicate death due to electrocution, its visceral parts have also been sent to OUAT for further tests. Investigation is underway to ascertain whether the accident took place when the elephant was trying to eat banana close to the boundary wall, or after in came in contact with a live wire trap set up by the villagers for hunting boars,” he said.
The PCCF further stated that a joint task force has been formed to probe the matter and patrolling will be intensified along the boundary wall to prevent a recurrence. “Ramu was an iconic elephant and fondly called a ‘gentle giant’ since it attacked anyone despite its huge size. We are mulling preserving its skeletal remains,” he added.
The 40-year-old tusker, considered to be the largest in the sanctuary, was found dead near Bharatpur forests on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. It was often found roaming in forests of Chandaka and Khurda, was quite familiar in the locality. It was also the first tusker the Forest department had attempted to radio-collar in 2021 but failed.
