A sub-adult tusker was discovered dead in the Ghaghara forest area under the Tarsingi range in Ganjam district on Saturday. According to forest officials, the elephant had migrated from a neighboring forest division to Ghumusar and had been unwell, receiving treatment for several days prior to its death.
Autopsy and Investigation
An autopsy was conducted on Sunday. Himansu Sekhar Mohanty, Divisional Forest Officer of Ghumusar (north), stated, “The exact cause of the death would be ascertained after the autopsy test report.” He added, “We have also collected different samples of the carcass, which will be tested at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar. Both of its tusks, each measuring around 57cm, have been recovered.”
Previous Incident and Current Monitoring
In March, a sub-adult female elephant died near Kadaligada village under the same forest range area, sources said. Mohanty noted, “Presently there are 74 elephants divided into herds which are roaming in different areas of the division and forest officials are keeping strict vigil on their movements.”
