Another elephant found dead in Odisha’s Karlapat sanctuary; fifth in 13 days

Bhawanipatna: The carcass of another elephant found in Karlapat sanctuary of Kalahandi district today. Forest Department sources said with the death of one more elephant in Karlapat, a total number of five jumbos have died in the sanctuary in last 13 days.

The department sources said the elephant carcass was recovered near Ghusuriguda nullah in the sanctuary. Though the exact reason behind the elephant death is yet to be known, the department sources informed the jumbo might have died due to septicemia.

On Friday, a female elephant was found dead near Ghusuriguda nullah. After receiving information, the Forest personnel reached the spot and sent the carcass for post mortem.

Following the incident, wildlife wing has started immunisation of cattle in several villages, closer to the two forest beats where the elephants’ deaths were reported.

Besides, various water bodies have been disinfected with bleaching powders.

Divisional Forest Officer, Kalahandi (South Division), Ashok Kumar said that the villagers have been advised not to allow their cattle inside the forest as it is suspected that the water bodies could be contaminated.

Earlier, three female elephants were found dead on February 1, 8 and 11 in Karlapat sanctuary.

A local said the five elephant deaths in such a short span of time have raised concerns among the villagers.

(With agency inputs)