Yet another elephant reportedly died of electrocution in Telkoi forest range of Keonjhar district. The carcass of the elephant calf was found near Akula Mundasahi on Sunday with an electric wire lying nearby.
The animal was suspected to have died after coming in contact with a live wire that was laid around a paddy field.
The death of the elephant came just 10 days after a tusker was reportedly electrocuted near Bhadimara village under the same forest range. The poachers had reportedly laid out a wire hooked to an 11 KV line to kill wild boars, but the elephant came in contact with the live wire and got electrocuted. Five people were arrested for the crime.
Also Read: Odisha sees two elephant deaths due to electrocution in 24 hours
The back-to-back deaths of two elephants point to the fact that the illegal act of laying live electric wires by poachers to kill other wild animals for meat purposes has turned out to be fatal for the elephants while the responsibilities of the forest department to ensure the safety of the animals have come under cloud.
Another dead in Sambalpur
Besides, the carcass of another elephant was reportedly found near Kundeijuri village forest under Naktideula range in Sambapur district on Sunday. However, the cause of its death is yet to be ascertained. Meanwhile, officials of the forest department reportedly visited the spot. Rairakhole DFO Arabinda Mohanty said that an investigation into the death of the elephant has been started.
Poachers on the prowl near Similipal
The elephants are also reportedly unsafe on the foothills of Similpal sanctuary in Mayurbhanj district as poachers have become active in the area, sources said.
Forest officials arrested four persons and seized two ivories from their possession during a raid in Dilganj area under Karanjia range. Three bikes were also seized.
Speaking to the media, Karanjia DFO Srikant Nayak said that four persons were arrested in connection with the ivory smuggling. “The accused revealed that the two ivories were taken from Podadiha range near Similipal,” the DFO said.
The incidents have raised concerns among wildlife activists.