Partially burnt carcasses of two jumbos found in Sambalpur district

Jujumura: Carcasses of two elephants were detected today in partially-burnt condition at two different places under Dhama forest range in Sambalpur district.

The first incident was reported from Tabalei-Deogaon reserve forest and the second one from Kolgaon forest in the district. Foul play is suspected behind the deaths.

Allegedly, animal body part smugglers are active in the region leading to elephant deaths.

Acting on a tip-off, a team comprising Odisha Crime Branch’s special task force (STF) and some wildlife experts reached the spot. The team collected some samples of partially burnt carcasses and sent those for testing to ascertain reason behind death of the pachyderms, a senior official informed.

It is pertinent to mention, carcasses of elephants being found in Sambalpur district is not new.

A jumbo was rescued from a pond at Sapalahara village of Badasahi forest section under Padiabahal range and Sambalpur division in June this year.

Subsequently, the elephant succumbed while undergoing treatment. However, the pachyderm died due to bullet injury, which was confirmed by the department.

Another elephant death was caused on October 20 last year at Mudher village near Sadar range reserve forest. Some poachers had burnt the tusker by pouring a highly inflammable liquid on it.

Forest department had filed a case in this connection after finding partially burnt carcasses.

It was then alleged that some unscrupulous staff of the department were involved in the death and test report of the partially burnt carcasses is still awaited.