Angul: A tusker was found dead near Talsira in the Bantala forest range under the Angul forest division on Saturday. The deceased animal was estimated to be around 8 to 10 years old.
According to forest officials, the elephant’s death is believed to have been caused by electrocution after coming into contact with a live electric wire. The wire was reportedly installed illegally by a local farmer to protect his mango orchard from wild animals.
The forest department has launched an investigation into the incident and detained the farmer responsible for installing the electric fencing for interrogation.
Forest officials would soon conduct a post-mortem on the elephant’s body and take legal action based on the investigation’s findings.
