Elephant found writhing in pain was shot by country-made gun: PCCF

A pachyderm with gunshot wounds was found writhing in pain near a rivulet in Narasinghapur forest range under Athgarh forest division in Cuttack district on Tuesday. Forest officials were not sure about the cause of the tusker’s illness till Tuesday. 

Clearing the air about the exact reason of its illness, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Sashi Paul on Wednesday said the animal was shot by a country-made gun. And the wounds it had received are of 15 days old.
Currently, a team of doctors belonging to Satakosia Tiger Reserve and Nandankanan Zoological Park is treating the ailing pachyderm at Narasinghapur forest. Also, the veterinary doctors have found five gunshot wounds on its front leg, trunk, ear, shoulder and stomach.  

Meanwhile, PCCF suspects that the miscreant might have shot the animal to save himself from its attack.

Paul further said, “Investigation is underway and stringent action would be taken against the guilty. The tusker will take some days to recover. Mango tree branches are being fed to the tusker as it is unable to stand and walk.”

He continued: “After having discussion with vets, I came to a conclusion that it was a target attack. The elephant has developed septicaemia on its right leg. The pachyderm is receiving antibiotic through drips.  Some forest officials have been engaged to keep a tab on the elephant during night. The pachyderm has become feeble due to septicaemia. It will hardly take two-three days for recovery.”