Bhubaneswar: A tusker was found dead in Dukura forest range under Baripada Forest Division in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Monday.
Officials suspect electrocution to be the cause of death.
According to reports, villagers spotted the carcass of the elephant on an agricultural field at Beladunguri and informed the Forest department.
The carcass was recovered by Forest personnel once they reached the spot.
The elephant is estimated to be around 20 years old.
Some electric wires were spotted a short distance from the place where the carcass was found, leading to suspicion that the tusker might have died after coming into contact with a live wire.
Baripada Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Gobinda Chandra Biswal said an investigation into the incident is underway.
The exact cause of death will be ascertained once the probe is completed.