Bhubaneswar: In a heartbreaking echo of a tragedy that led to national outrage five years ago in Kerala, a female elephant in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district is battling for her life after allegedly consuming food laced with explosives.
According to sources, the injured elephant was rescued by the Forest Department a few days ago after it strayed away from its herd and was found wandering near a village under Betnoti forest range in a severely wounded condition. It is being suspected that the explosives, hidden in food possibly to target wild boars or to deter elephants from raiding crops, detonated in its mouth, severing the tongue into three pieces and causing severe jaw infections.
The elephant was tranquilised and later transported to Talabandh Range office in the North Division of the Similipal Tiger Reserve, where it is receiving urgent medical care.
Confirming the incident, Field Director of Similipal Tiger Reserve Prakash Chand Gogineni revealed that the animal had sustained severe wounds in its mouth and lost approximately one-third of its tongue. “We are conducting a detailed investigation, and strict action will be taken against whoever is found responsible,” he informed the media.
