Dhenkanal: Forest officials recovered the decomposed carcass of a tusker from Rupabalia jungle near Bhejibolua village under Sarangi forest range in this district Tuesday.
The tusker, believed to be 15 years old, is suspected to have died during a clash with another male elephant, forest officials said. A post-mortem was conducted on the carcass by veterinarians, officials said.
The locals, however, claimed that it was a case of poaching as a hunter was arrested along with a gun from the same forest a few days ago. They demanded a probe into the elephant death.
The villagers also questioned how could the forest department officials remain oblivious to the tusker’s death and allowed it to decompose for so many days.
Meanwhile, reiterating the claim of forest officials, divisional forest officer (DFO) Pradipta Kumar Sahoo said further action will be taken once the probe report is available with him. PNN
