Two elephant calves’ carcasses recovered

Kaniha/Debagada: Two elephant calves were found dead in separate forest areas of Anugola and Debagada districts, prompting the Forest Department to launch investigations into the causes of their deaths. In Anugola district, the carcass of a male elephant calf, estimated to be between 18 months and two years old, was found Friday in the Rangia munda forest under the Sipur section of the Talcher Forest Division. Local residents spotted the carcass and alerted forest officials, who rushed to the site and began an inquiry.

Preliminary findings suggest the calf had died about a week earlier. A team of veterinary experts conducted a post-mortem, after which the carcass was buried at the site in accordance with standard protocol. Forest officials said the exact cause of death would be known after the post-mortem report is received. In a separate incident, a premature elephant calf’s carcass was found Thursday evening in the Mahasindhu forest under the Rengalbeda section of the Riamal Forest Range in Debagada district.

Villagers and cattle grazers informed the Forest department after discovering the carcass. Senior forest officials, including Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rashmi G, visited the site Friday along with other forest personnel and veterinary experts to investigate the incident. Officials said the circumstances surrounding the premature birth and the calf’s death would be established af ter the post-mortem findings are received.