Despite concerns, it seems, tangible efforts are yet to be made for the protection of jumbos in Odisha. Such apprehensions have cropped up again following the death of two more elephants in the State.
The safety of the pachyderms is under scanner now as the two elephants died after being hit by a goods train near Ambadhara under Daitari range in Keonjhar district on Tuesday.
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As per initial reports, the tragic mishap occurred when an elephant herd was crossing railway tracks. Two elephants were killed on the spot. Sources said another elephant also sustained injures in the collision with the goods train, but it went into the forest along with the herd into the forest.
The treatment of the injured elephant has become essential, as it has been observed in the past that animals succumb to injuries if left untreated for long.
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Anandpur DFO and other officials have reportedly reached the spot for necessary investigation and follow up action.
Though the forest department officials regularly claim that they are taking measures and using technology to monitor the movement of the elephants, the death of jumbos in freak train mishap speaks the other way round.
The forest department officials could not be contacted for their version on the matter.