Sick elephant dies while undergoing treatment in Odisha’s Balasore; locals allege neglect

Soro: A female jumbo previously spotted in very sick condition around four to five days ago and was undergoing treatment died today near Digi Bhanra village under Bagha Ampuda beat house and Soro block in Balasore district.

However, locals alleged that the pachyderm died due to negligence of the forest department.

“The elephant was roaming in nearby areas of our village four to five days ago. A team of doctors were treating the animal but proper care was not provided by the forest personnel. As the jumbo was not tranquilised on time, proper medical care could not be given,” some locals expressed.

On the other hand, a female forest official refuted the charges saying, “A veterinary team had kept the elephant under observation. Hence, it would be inappropriate on my part to comment on this. A post-mortem report would help ascertain the actual cause behind the elephant’s death.”

The jumbo was sick and had stopped taking adequate food. Unfortunately, the veterinary team found the animal dead in the morning when they arrived for its treatment, the official stated.