Anandapur: The carcass of a tusker was spotted today while lying in a mango orchard under mysterious circumstances at Soso locality in Keonjhar district. However, locals alleged that the pachyderm died due to electrocution after coming in contact with a live wire.

According to a Forest department source, the male elephant had come to Soso locality from Hadagarh sanctuary a few days ago and was roaming in the nearby areas. The jumbo was around 25 years of age and, probably, it died last night. Reason behind the animal’s death has not been ascertained yet.

“A tusker was found dead near an ashram today morning. Forest personnel have been guarding the carcass and I reached the spot just now. Exact cause of the elephant’s death can be confirmed only after a post-mortem report comes in,” Anandapur DFO Abhaya Dalei said when contacted.

Meanwhile, the department has started conducting post-mortem of the tusker to confirm its death.