Bhubaneswar: A tusker was found dead at Basiapada village under Sambalpur Sadar Forest Range in the wee hours of Monday.
According to sources, the elephant sneaked into the village in search of food. It came in contact with live wires while trying to break into a house and died.
Upon being informed, Forest Department officials reached the spot and initiated a probe to ascertain the exact reason behind the pachyderm’s death.
It is learnt from locals that the elephant was seen roaming all alone in the locality for the last few years. The tusker used to create havoc in the locality by sneaking into the village during the nighttime and destroying crops. The wild animal used to break into paddy storage sheds and destroy crops.
The tusker is reported to have trampled an elderly man to death.
