Tumudibandh: An ailing female elephant has been battling for life in Lankagarh reserve forest in Kandhamal district.
No officials have reached the spot to provide treatment to the ailing pachyderm despite repeated reminders by locals. This has led to resentment among the locals who provided food to the animal.
“A forester had come to the spot after we informed him. However, he returned saying that he would come back with a veterinary and other senior officials, but no one has arrived yet. This clearly shows, how careless the officials are,” a local said.
According to sources, a herd comprising four female jumbos, a calf and a tusker from Kalahandi strayed into Belgarh forest, and is holed up in Lankagarh reserve forest for the last two months.
After spotting the pachyderm in an unconscious state near Budel canal in Kendupada, the residents alerted the forest officials Thursday.
While nothing was known as to what had happened to the jumbo, locals believe it had grown weak and was not able to walk. It was seen lying unconscious in a muddy patch of land.
DFO Biswanath Nilambharam said, “It is not ascertained whether the animal is affected by some disease or injured in an attack. Our officials are yet to reach the spot.”
“If anything happens to the elephant, the forest officials will be held responsible,” a villager said.
PNN