Riamal: A female elephant was found dead in a protected forest near Jharabereni village under the Kundheigola section of Riamal forest range in Debagada district, forest officials said. The carcass was discovered in the forest under the jurisdiction of Chadheimara gram panchayat.
The Kundheigola section forester informed Riamal range officer Niranjan Dharua about the elephant’s death at 10:35 pm Friday. Dharua, accompanied by Forest Department personnel, reached the spot and began an investigation.
Based on the preliminary examination, forest officials said the elephant may have died of natural causes. However, the exact cause of death will be determined after a post-mortem examination.
Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Swadhinata Sahan, Riamal range officer Niranjan Dharua, veterinary surgeon Sanjib Kumar Patra and Kundheigola section forester Manmath Behera were among those present at the site.
Officials said the exact cause of death would be established after the post-mortem report is received.
