SUBARNAPUR,2/12 —- The body of a elephant has been found in the forest between Barghat Dadar and Brahmanipali in the Hatilimunda Forest Beat of the Birmaharajpur Range under Subarnapur Forest Division. According to information, some people saw the body of a elephant lying in the Barghat Dadar forest of Durjantaila Panchayat under the Birmaharajpur Block on Monday morning. The forest department reached the spot and started an investigation. Hundreds of people gathered to see the body of the elephant after receiving the news. But the forest department did not allow anyone near the body of the elephant. The body of the elephant was covered from all sides. RCCF Santosh Joshi of Bhawanipatna Division, Subarnapur Divisional Forest Officer ( DFO) Madanlal Sharma also visited the spot and inspected the situation. According to information, two days ago, a herd of five to six elephants from Kuakhol Reserve Forest under Redhakhol Forest Division came to Hatilimunda Reserve Forest. Since it is the time of paddy harvesting, the herd of elephants came to Amarpali and Guduguda areas through Bhaludunguri forest in the evening. The people of the locality chased the elephants away. The Birmaharajpur Forest Department was also seen chasing the herd of elephants with the help of drones throughout Saturday night and monitoring their movements. However, locals public said that one tusk elephant from this herd got separated and went to Brahmanipali-Barghat Dadar forest area through Badamal, Kanchanpal forests. However, the Forest Department was also tracking this tusk and found its dead body on Monday morning. Locals have alleged that the elephant was killed for its tusks. An 11 KV electricity line has been cut about a hundred meters from where the body of the tusk elephant is lying. From there, it is suspected that the elephant died after poachers came into contact with the electric wire that was being used to hunt animals by putting up electric wires. It is suspected that the poachers took away the electric wires that were spread there after the elephant died. It is said that after coming into contact with electricity, the elephant fell on its face and died. RCCF Santosh Joshi of Bhawanipatna Circle was seen at the scene and discussing with the electricity department staff. As it was late on Monday evening, the body could not be dissected. On Tuesday, a technical team and a fact-finding team from Bhubaneswar came to inspect the situation and investigate the body and cause of death of the elephant. The forest department has informed that the dissection will be done after conducting an investigation. Birmaharajpur Range Animal poaching is common in this area. Poachers illegally lay electric wires in the forest to hunt animals. Locals are complaining that animal meat is being sent to different areas from this area. Earlier, in the Sunapali forest on the border of this area, a elephant died after getting hit by an electric wire spread for animal hunting. There is a precedent of mafias cutting out the elephant’s tusks and looting them. When asked about the death of the elephant, Subarnapur Divisional Forest Officer ( DFO ) Madanlal Sharma said that the cause of the death of the elephant is unclear. However, he said that the cause of death will be known after the investigation. Among others at the scene of the incident are Birmaharajpur ACF cum Additional Range Officer-in-Charge Avinash Bariha, ACF Giridhari Nag, Ulunda Range Officer Debraj Chhatria, Birmaharajpur Deputy Ranger Jagabandhu Barik, Hatilimunda Forest Officer Shankar Bagh, Jaloe Forest Officer Pradeep Kumar Jena, along with forest department staff, Thengo Dam Out Post Bibhundra Baral and a police team. Report– Ugrasen Karmi.
Body of elephant found in forest: Allegation of killing for its tusks
