Villagers yesterday spotted the decomposed body of a tusker — which bore injury marks — at Satkosia sanctuary in Angul. “The exact reason of the death will be known after getting the viscera report,” said divisional forest officer (wildlife), Angul, Sushant Nanda.

In Sonpur, too, villagers found a dead tusker in the Mahulkulia forest near Sunapalli village yesterday. The elephant’s carcass was discovered three days after its death, said sources.

Tusks of both the elephants had been cut off, hinting at the role of poachers in their deaths. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem.

“As the tusks have been cut off, it appears to be a clear case of poaching,” said Ullunda range officer S.B. Udgata.

Chief wildlife warden Suresh Mohanty was not available for comment.