Sharmili Mallick

Kalahandi: Another female elephant was found dead in Ghusugudi forest under the Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary in Kalahandi district on Tuesday.

The carcass of the animal was spotted lying in the jungle by the officials Kalahandi (South) Forest Division, said reports.

Though the exact reason behind the death of the jumbo will be known after we receive the post-mortem report, preliminary investigation suggested the animal might have died due to septicemia, informed the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Kalahandi (South) Forest Division, T Ashok Kumar.

A team of veterinary doctors rushed to the spot and conducted the post-mortem of the elephant. The forest officials have also started an investigation in connection with the death of the elephant.

Earlier in the first week of this month, a carcass of another female elephant was found near Tentulikhunti in the Karlapat sanctuary area. The death of second jumbo within ten days in the sanctuary have triggered resentment among the locals and wildlife activists.

On February 4, two elephants that were separated from their herd were run over by a speeding goods train near Mahipani in Bisra region of Sundergarh district.

Similarly on December 5, an elephant was hit by Bhubaneswar-Rourkela Intercity Express hit near Gargadbahal village between Jujumura and Hatibari area of Sambalpur district. On December 20, another tusker was killed after it was run over by Puri-Surat Express train near Bhabanipali between Hatibari and Maneswar Railway stations under Sambalpur division.

(Edited By Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)

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