Angul: The carcass of an elephant was found near a forest in Laxmipur village under Handapa forest range in Angul district on Monday. The elephant is believed to be around 10 years old.
While it is suspected that the elephant might have died after getting trapped in electricity wires laid by poachers to capture wild boars, Forest department officials said that the actual cause of death can be ascertained only after the post-mortem report.
As per reports, as many as 26 elephants have so far died this year after coming in contact with live electricity wires in several parts of the State.
Meanwhile, the rise in the number of incidents of man-animal conflict and movement of elephants in human settlement areas continues to trigger concerns.
A herd of around 50 elephants was spotted near Kathapal in Balasore district today with forest officials suspecting that they might have sneaked in from forests in neighbouring Jharkhand.
"Around 50 elephants were seen in our area today. Our crops are getting damaged by the jumbos but the government is unable to give us adequate compensation," said Guruba Singh, a local.
On the other hand, a youth was injured after being allegedly attacked by an elephant near a forest under Karanjia range in Mayurbhanj district.