Forest Guard Critical In Attack By Tranquilised Tusker In Odisha’s Kuldiha Sanctuary

Balasore: Two forest officials were injured, one of them critically, after an ailing tusker which was tranquilised for treatment attacked them in Kuldiha sanctuary in Odisha’s Balasore district on Tuesday.  It was suspected that the sedative prick was not effective on the animal.

According to sources, the tusker was ailing in Kumakuta area of Kuldiha sanctuary for the last few days. A team of forest officials had been tracking the sick animal for the last four days and finally managed to tranquilise it for treatment.

According to the Nilagiri ranger, officials were guarding the animal which stood motionless after tranquisation at Badamaba inside the sanctuary. Assuming that the animal was left inactive under influence of tranquilisation, forest officials moved closer to it.

However, the animal charged at the officials, causing injuries to forest guard Shashikala Sahu and Panchalingeswar beat forester Bhagyashree Dwivedy.

Sahu was rushed to Nilagiri hospital from where she was shifted to the district headquarters hospital at Balasore as her condition worsened. Dwivedy was discharged from Nilagiri hospital after treatment.