The ailing elephant which was stuck in a pond near Sapalahara village in Sambalpur district died on Tuesday. The tusker took last breath after being brought to bank through a crane.
Villagers spotted the elephant trapped in a pond near Sapalahara village. Due to weakness, the pachyderm was partially submerged in water and was unable to come out of the mud. Though forest officials gave their best efforts for last five days to rescue the ailing elephant but their efforts yielded no results with the tusker stopping reacting to treatment.
It was learnt that the elephant had injury marks on its body. A team of expert doctors from Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology University (OUAT) reached the spot. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) was also intimated to take stock of the elephant’s condition.”
Divisional Forest Officer Biswanath Nilambaran said, “Had the tusker eaten something during treatment time, we could have saved it. As it stopped eating, it has become very weak and there were no chances of keeping it alive.”
To the question what was the chance of survival if the elephant was not brought to bank, DFO said, “The elephant was alive because it was being administered saline and medicines. The reason behind its death is not eating anything for last five days. Following the arrival of two more doctors, post mortem of the pachyderm will be conducted.”