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