Keonjhar: An elephant was found dead near Raghubeda dam at Debandh Forest Section under Ghatagaon Range in Keonjhar district, on Monday.
According to sources, the elephant is believed to have died around a week ago, but the forest department was unaware of the incident until today. Locals complained of a strong stench following which Forest Department officials rushed to the spot and found the elephant lying dead.
The cause of death is still unknown, but it is suspected that the elephant might have died due to some disease. A team of forest officials, including Keonjhar DFO Dhana Raj HD, ACF Jatindra Behra, ACF Ashok Kumar Das, and others, visited the spot and conducted an investigation.
The carcass was later buried in the same location following a post-mortem examination conducted by veterinarians Banupriya Sahu, Trinath Mahant, and Mrityunjay Mahant.
