Sambalpur: The carcass of a 12 to 14-year-old elephant was recovered from an agricultural field in Chhamunda section of Padiabahal forest range in Sambalpur district Friday.
Electrocution from solar fencing wire is suspected to have caused the death, forest officials said. Padiabahal forest range officer Sunil Khilari and other personnel recovered the carcass before launching an investigation.
Forest officials found solar fencing wire entangled around the elephant’s body, raising suspicion that it had suffered an electric shock after coming into contact with the wire. Given the seriousness of the incident, arrangements were made for a post-mortem examination in the presence of senior forest officials.