Bhanjanagar: There is no let-up in elephant deaths in the state despite the Centre and state government taking a host of measures for the protection of the giant animals.
The Orissa High Court had come down heavily on the poaching of a tusker and later burning of its carcass by forest officials in Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district and termed the year 2022 as ‘perhaps the worst year for the elephants’.
Be it for natural reasons, illness or poaching, pachyderms are dying in various jungles of the state at frequent intervals.
In the latest incident, an ailing female elephant in a jungle in Galeri forest range under North Ghumusar forest division died after battling with its illness for five days.
The animal was found to be ailing five days back. It had become weak and was unable to move due to the illness. A medical team from Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) in Bhubaneswar visited the spot and administered treatment after tranquilising the animal.
The medical team examined the animal and found that it had some infections in its mouth. As per their advice, a team of forest officials administered medicines. However, despite all hopes for its recovery, the animal succumbed to its illness, Wednesday morning. The carcass was buried in the jungle after veterinarians conducted a post-mortem.
Notably, five elephants have died during last six months in North Ghumusar forest division. Among the deceased animals, two tuskers were killed by poachers while the reason behind the death of two other tuskers is yet to be ascertained.
In this situation, the ailing elephant’s death despite treatment has sparked concern among animal lovers. Honourary wildlife warden Sulapani Satapathy said that the animal could have recovered if a medical team had remained at the spot and administered regular treatment.
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