Death of 3 elephants due to electrocution in Odisha: 3 Forest dept officials suspended, 3 held

As many as three field officials have been suspended by the Odisha Forest Department following the death of three elephants due to electrocution in the forest near Buramal in Sambalpur’s Naktideul forest range on Sunday. The deceased elephants include two adults and one calf.

Moreover, the Forest Department has also recommended the government to take action against two senior officials of the department.

The department intensified the probe into the incident after Chief Minister Mohan Majhi expressed concern over the death of the jumbos.

Meanwhile, three of the four accused involved in the incident have been arrested and another is on the run. Forest Department is trying to nab the fourth accused with the help of the police.

Notably, the elephants were electrocuted to death after coming in contact with a power line.

Read More: Three elephants killed after falling in electric trap laid for boars in Odisha

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Rairakhol division, Aurobinda Mohanty said that two female adult elephants and a calf died in the incident that took place on Sunday night.

From prima facie, it seems that the elephants came in contact with a live power line laid by poachers to trap wild boars to protect crops, he said.

A special team of forest officials rushed to the spot for an inquiry. Further details about the incident can be known after completion of the probe, the DFO said.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife, Susant Nanda termed the incident as ‘unfortunate’ and said, “There was negligence on the part of the patrolling team and field officials of the area.”

Meanwhile, a 55-year-old man was trampled to death by a wild elephant at Hatibadi village in Sambalpur district on Sunday night. The deceased was identified as Ganeswar Bhoi.