Elephant critically injured after suspected explosive blast in Mayurbhanj

A female elephant sustained critical injuries after an explosive, suspected to be a firecracker went off inside its mouth in the Bangiriposi area of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, triggering serious concern among forest officials and wildlife conservationists.

The injured elephant was rescued by the Forest Department on Thursday after it strayed away from its herd and was found wandering in a severely wounded condition. Forest officials said the animal had suffered deep injuries to its mouth and was immediately tranquillised before being shifted to the Talabandha area under Bangiriposi range for treatment.

Veterinary Team Continues Treatment

A veterinary medical team from the Baripada Forest Division has been attending to the elephant since its rescue. Preliminary observations suggest that the elephant’s tongue was hanging out, and the injuries may have been caused by an internal explosion inside the mouth.

There are allegations that an explosive was deliberately concealed in food and left for the elephant to consume. However, forest officials said the exact cause of the injuries cannot be confirmed at this stage and will be established only after a detailed medical report is submitted by the veterinary team.

Forest Officials, Environmentalists Express Concern

Divisional Forest Officer Gobinda Chandra Biswal said, “Veterinarians are treating the elephant, and the treatment is underway. One of our staff members first noticed the animal during the day, but it moved away. It later returned at night, following which rescue efforts were carried out.”

Environmentalists have strongly condemned the incident. Environmentalist Bhanumitra Acharya described it as a possible man-made act, calling it deeply disturbing. “This is not a natural incident. It is likely the second such case reported in Odisha. The elephant is very young and has sustained serious injuries, which significantly reduce its chances of survival,” he said.

Investigation Underway

According to reports, the elephant has been unable to eat or drink since Thursday and is currently being administered intravenous fluids. The animal was earlier sighted in the Nilagiri area of Balasore district before moving towards the Baripada forest range, where it was eventually rescued.

Forest officials said a detailed investigation is underway and assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible once the cause of the injuries is conclusively established.