Elderly Man Trampled to Death by Rogue Tusker in Ganjam Forest
A tragic incident unfolded in the Baibili forest area under the Ghumusar forest division of Ganjam district, where a 65-year-old man was allegedly trampled to death by a tusker on Sunday afternoon. The victim, identified as Krupasindhu Swain, a resident of Baibili, had ventured into the forest to graze cattle and failed to return home by nightfall.
Discovery and Investigation
Concerned family members launched a search operation and discovered Swain's body in the forest area. Suspecting an elephant attack, they immediately alerted the forest officials. The body was recovered by officials on Monday and sent to the sub-divisional hospital in Bhanjanagar for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Divisional Forest Officer Himansu Sekhar Mohanty of the Ghumusar North forest division stated that circumstantial evidence strongly points to an elephant attack. Forest personnel found clear pug marks and dung of a jumbo near the scene, indicating the presence of a tusker. Mohanty revealed that a solitary tusker, separated from its original herd, had been roaming the area for several days. The herd has since moved towards the Phulbani forest division in Kandhamal district.
Separate Incident: Elephant Carcass Found
In a related development, forest officials discovered the carcass of a sub-adult female elephant near Kadaligada village under the Tarsingi forest range within the same division. The exact cause of the elephant's death remains unknown and will only be determined after receiving the autopsy report. The post-mortem of the elephant was conducted on Sunday following all standard procedures to ensure a thorough investigation.
This incident highlights the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in the region, raising concerns about safety and conservation efforts. Forest authorities are monitoring the situation closely to prevent further tragedies and ensure the well-being of both local communities and wildlife.
