Bullet-riddled tusker carcass found in Odisha’s Satkosia

A bullet-riddled carcass of a tusker was found in the Satkosia forest under Katrang section of Jillinda range of Angul forest division. A few locals who had been to the forest to collect firewood spotted the carcass and alerted forest officials.

A preliminary probe revealed the pachyderm has sustained a bullet mark near its left ear. The pachyderm is assumed to be around 50 years old, forest officials said.

On being alerted by locals, forest officials rushed to the spot and recovered two tusks along with the carcass.

“The carcass of the pachyderm has been recovered and sent for autopsy. Exact reason for its death will be known after the arrival of the post-mortem report,” said an official.

Speaking to media, Lingaraj Bhoi, Jillinda Range Officer, said, “We got information and rushed to the spot and recovered the carcass of the tusker. It's age was around 50-55 years. There is a bullet mark, but we suspect it is an old injury. The pachyderm might have died due to its old age and not due to any bullet injury. We are yet to confirm and the exact reason will be known after reports from forensic lab.”

“We have also recovered one full tusk and another broken tusk from the spot. Further probe into the incident is on,” he added.

On the other hand, lawyer Debadatt Malaya Baral slammed the forest department for its negligence and said, “The elephant was lying dead inside the forest, but the forest department was clueless. They rushed to the spot only after being informed by the locals. We suspect some conspiracy and demand a thorough probe in this connection. Repeated deaths of elephants in the Narsinghpur area has become a matter of serious concern.”