Bhubaneswar: Forest officials recovered the dismembered skeleton of an elephant calf from the Paichhalia Reserve Forest under the Gayaganda section of North Ghumusar Forest Division in Ganjam district.
The calf, estimated to be a 5-year-old female, is believed to have died around two months ago. With this, three elephant deaths have been reported from the same range in the last three months, raising concern among environmentalists.
Wildlife experts examined the skeleton and some skin fragments. Bones, skin, and teeth samples are being sent to OUAT laboratory in Bhubaneswar for further examination to ascertain the cause of death.
North Ghumusar DFO Himanshu Sekhar Mohanty and Tarasingi Ranger Prashant Behera visited the spot and are leading the investigation. Officials said the exact cause of death is not yet known as the carcass is old.This is the third such incident in the range recently.
On May 10, an 11-year-old male elephant died due to illness near Gayaganda. Earlier, on March 10, a tusker was found dead in Bhogara forest, also near Gayaganda.
The recurring elephant deaths in one range within three months have alarmed conservationists and locals.
