Tusker killed in fight with another jumbo in Odisha

Keonjhar: A tusker was killed during a conflict with another tusker at Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary under Anandapur Wildlife Division in Keonjhar district.

The 30-year-old tusker fell off a hill in the clash and succumbed to injuries, informed Anandapur DFO Ajit Kumar Satapathy today.

The body was recovered yesterday. The vets and forest officials will carry out the post-mortem on the body today. All the organs of the deceased elephant were found intact. The cause of death of the elephant will be ascertained after the autopsy, the official stated.

According to reports, a herd of eight elephants was roaming inside the forest yesterday. The wild battle took place between two tuskers during the period. Their fight worsened subsequently killing one of them at the wildlife habitat.

On other hand, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) has suspended two forest officials in connection with recovery of skeletal remains of an elephant in Athagarh.

Reports said that Badamba Ranger Suresh Sarangi and Forester Manoj Das were placed under suspension after the Special Task Force (STF) of State Crime Branch unearthed an elephant skeleton from the Athagarh forest division earlier this month.

This apart, six persons including a forest guard and three forest watchers have also been arrested in connection with the case.