Kalahandi: The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Shashi Paul, visited Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary in Kalahandi district on Tuesday to take stock of the situation following the death of six elephants in the past two weeks.
The six elephants from the same herd had succumbed to haemorrhagic septicaemia after being infected with Pasteurella Multocida bacteria.
The PCCF visit came a day after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed concern over the elephant deaths in the Karlapat sanctuary.
Also Read: Odisha CM Directs Officials To Step Up Measures, Check Elephant Deaths
At a review meeting on Monday, the CM directed the Forest and Environment Department and Animal Resources Department to to consult experts, from Odisha and outside, and take measures to prevent deaths.
Naveen also directed the Kalahandi district administration and Divisional Forest Officer to ensure vaccination of cattle in the villages close to the sanctuary, disinfect water bodies and send water samples to labs for test.
Earlier on Saturday, a team of experts from Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) led by Prof Niranjan Sahu had visited the sanctuary to ascertain the cause of the deaths.
Also Read: Elephant Deaths: Expert Team Visits Karlapat Sanctuary In Odisha’s Kalahandi