Odisha: Tusker Found Dead In Athagarh Forest

Athagarh: The carcass of an elephant was found near Ghumaghasua hills of Rajballavpur reserve forest under the Khuntuni range here last night.

The forest department officials rushed to the spot after getting information and seized the carcass. Though the exact cause behind the death of the tusker is yet to be ascertained, locals suspect that the animal might have died two days back.

On October 28, a herd of wild elephants was spotted crossing Gurudijhatia Matsyapur Railway track and National Highway near Bali under the Athagarh Forest Division. The pachyderms had been wreaking havoc in the area since a long time giving sleepless nights to the local residents as well as the officials of the forest division.

Forest officials said that the herd of the elephants consisting of several age groups strayed into the region from Chandaka sanctuary. They have also destroyed paddy crops in several acres of land in the area.

On October 9, a carcass of a female elephant was found on roadside near Dalaka village under Deuli panchayat of Begunia block in Khordha district.

(Edited By Ramakanta Biswas)