Keonjhar/Ghatagaon: A tusker, believed to be 45 years old, was found dead in a forest near Kolipasi under Ghatagaon block in Keonjhar district Wednesday.
With a wound on its back, the animal is suspected to have been killed amid conflicting reports about its death. The dead elephant was spotted lying across a large rock.
According to reports, locals had gone to a dam to take bath early in the morning when they saw the elephant. On coming closer to the elephant, they found it dead and reported the matter to Ghatagaon forest range. As the news spread amid allegation that the animal was shot dead with an arrow, a large number of people from peripheral villages trooped to the scene.
Keonjhar divisional forest officer (DFO) Rohit Kumar Lenka visited the spot and investigated the incident, but the reason of its death it was not yet clear. Locals said the elephant had passed through Kenduapada and Binajhari Tuesday night.
Post-mortem of its carcass was conducted by veterinary doctor Trinath Mohant. Later the carcass was buried.
However, preliminary investigation by Mohant said the animal might have died of heart stroke. It was also affected by worms.
On the other hand, Ghatagaon range officer Ghanashyam Mohant said the elephant was aged about 70 years and died a natural death. The animal was separated from its herd for several years and was moving in the area without harming others.
However, the locals refused to buy the versions of forest officials and claimed the pachyderm was poached. PNN
