Ganjam: Carcass of an elephant was recovered at Nimakhandi village under Digapahandi block in Ganjam district today. Though the exact reason behind the death of jumbo is unclear, it is suspected that it could be a case of poaching as holes resembling gunshot wounds were spotted on the pachyderm's body.
After spotting the pachyderm lying in a pool of blood locals alerted police and forest officials.
Forest officials have seized the body of the elephant and soon a post-mortem will be conducted to establish the exact cause of death of the pachyderm.
“Primary investigation shows that the elephant died due to bullet injuries. However, the exact cause of the death of the animal will be known after the autopsy report comes,” Digapahandi ranger, Paramananda Panigrahi.
On the other hand, a herd of elephants strayed into human settlement and destroyed standing crops and damaged a few houses in Sundergarh and Puri.
A herd of 14 elephants strayed into Ghosara, Alekhpur and Gudiali villages under Bonai forest range in Sundergarh district and destroyed standing crops in several acres of land and destroyed property.
In another incident, a herd of 25-30 elephants destroyed crops in Manijipur village under Gadabalabhadrapur pachayat in Kanas block of Puri district. As per latest reports, the forest department officials were yet to reach the spot.