Another elephant found dead in Odisha

A female elephant was found dead in a canal in Belgaon section of Titilagarh forest range in Bolangir district, on Friday morning. Forest officials recovered the carcass after tracking the animal, which had earlier entered the area from Kalahandi side a few days ago.

Also Read: 136 elephants died across Odisha in past 18 months: Minister in Assembly

Authorities stated that the elephant had been unwell for around the last eight days, and the forest department had been monitoring its movements closely. Despite these efforts, the pachyderm was found dead in the canal today.

Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) and Deputy Forest Officer (DFO) of Titilagarh Range are at the site investigating the incident to determine the exact cause of death. The Forest Department is expected to take steps to ensure the safety of wildlife in the area.

“The female elephant had come to this area from Kalahandi division. We were aware from its movement that the animal’s health condition was not well. All arrangements were also made for its treatment,” Bolangir DFO, Ajit Bisi, said to OTV when contacted.

“Perhaps the pachyderm died last night. It had strayed into the Bolangir district alone after getting separated from a herd,” the senior forest official added.

Worth mentioning, a total of 136 elephants have died in Odisha over the past one and a half years due to various causes, with electrocution emerging as the leading cause behind it. Forest, Environment & Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia had shared this information on December 9 last year in his reply to a query in the Legislative Assembly.

According to the data presented in the House, four elephants were killed by poachers, while another four died due to retaliatory attacks by local villagers. Electrocution accounted for 42 deaths, and four elephants were killed after being hit by trains. Diseases claimed 31 lives, while another 31 died due to miscellaneous natural causes. The causes behind the deaths of 20 elephants remain unclear.

Reported By: Abinash Nanda