Tusker Carcass Found in Athagarh, 25th Case in 18 Months

Cuttack: One more elephant carcass was found in extreme decomposed condition in Odisha’s Athagarh area. During the past few months, several elephant deaths have been reported in this area. The recent carcass was located in the Narasinghpur western range under the Athagarh forest division in Cuttack district.

The locals allege that forest officials are trying to suppress this elephant’s death. Prima facie evidence revealed that the dead pachyderm was aged around three to four years old and may have died 15-20 days back.

Investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances that led to the death of the elephant, said a forest official.

The decomposed body of the elephant was found on September 18 by some locals and on September 19 forest officials buried the dead elephant after necessary investigation.

During the past one and half years 25 elephants are said to have died in the areas comprising of Narsighpura East, Narasighpur West, Badamba and Satakoshia ranges. Some of them had fallen prey to poachers.