Nuapada: At a time when the state is witnessing alarming cases of sheep deaths at Niali in Cuttack district, despite efforts by forest officials to track the 'mysterious animal' killing the sheep, another such incident has sent shockwaves in Nuapada.
Sources said at least six goats have died due to unknown reason while more than 10 are missing at Junali village under Sadar block of the district. The local shepherds Haraprasad Kharsel and Bharat Roul who own the animals are baffled over the deaths and have expressed anguish over the forest department's failure to make out the unidentified 'creature' that has killed the goats.
On the other hand, the forest department has said the reason of the animal deaths would be ascertained only after the autopsy of the goats and identification of the pug marks at the spot of the incident.
Meanwhile, the suspense over the exact reason for the deaths of sheep at Niali continues to haunt the locals and forest officials. Several attempts by the administration to ascertain the particular animal that is killing the sheep have gone in vain.
Forest minister Bijayshree Routray had informed on Monday that a team from Similipal has been assigned the task of tracing the animal.