Tusker in Sambalpur might have died due to bullet injury; DFO discloses crucial info

Sambalpur: Making startling revelations in the death of a male elephant near Saplahara village in Sambalpur district on June 21, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Biswanath Nilambaram today said a bullet has been recovered from the tusker’s body. But, the exact reason behind the male elephant’s death will be known after receiving the post mortem report, Nilambaram added.

He further informed a bullet of 4 cm long and 2.5 cm diameter was recovered from the tusker’s leg bone. The bullet has entered 40 cm deep inside the elephant’s front leg bone. Due to this the tusker suffered from septicemia and then multi-organ failure led to its death, the Forest official added.

He also said three persons have been detained and a countrymade gun and an axe have been seized from them.

The poachers have fired shot at the elephant after climbing a tree near the pond.

On June 17, the male elephant was found stranded in a water body near Saplahara village under Jujumura block in Sambalpur district. After receiving information, the Forest officials reached the spot and brought the 17-year-old elephant to the ground when they found it to be ailing.

Despite the treatment provided by vets from the Forest Department and OUAT, the male elephant could not be saved and died four days later.