Female elephant mowed down by train in Dhenkanal

Dhenkanal: A female elephant was killed after being run over by a train near Barada level crossing under Sadar police limits in Dhenkanal district on Friday.

As per reports, a herd of 40 elephants was crossing the railway tracks when the the 40-year-old pachyderm, left behind by the group, was mowed down by a train.

Soon after getting information, officials of the forest department rushed to the spot, recovered the carcass and initiated an investigation into the incident.

While preliminary investigation revealed that the elephant was hit by a goods train, Dhenkanal Sardar Ranger Darshan Bhoi, confirmed the death of the jumbo and said, "The elephant was crossing the railway tracks with its herd when the mishap occurred. While all the other elephants managed to cross the tracks, the female jumbo was left behind and died after being hit by the train."

Last year in November, another female elephant was run over by a goods train while she was crossing the railway tracks near Ramachandrapur village in Keonjhar district.