Earlier, three elephants near Rairakhole forest area were found dead recently and the death toll of elephants has crossed 30 from April to November this year while 21 have died in the last two months

Officials from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) would soon take stock of the situation, sources said here on Thursday adding they would conduct fresh study on elephant deaths.

Of the elephant deaths reported in Orissa since April this year, half have reportedly been killed by poachers. And, in all these cases, the tusks and other essential parts of the elephants were removed in the most gruesome manner, which experts say can only be the handiwork of poachers.

In some cases, usage of new tools to excavate the tusks has also been observed, which indicates the involvement of international ivory smuggling rings. In the last ten days alone, six elephant deaths have been reported, of which four are believed to be result of poaching. These deaths have been reported from Puranakote, Mahulkhulia forests and Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary.

Alarmed by the sudden surge in poaching cases, the State Government has asked the Crime Branch to investigate into the huge number of elephant deaths.

"In the past four-five months, relatively higher number of elephant killings has been reported," said a senior forest official adding the department has taken precautionary measures and has beefed up security in areas frequented by elephants. "Surveillance of each elephant is being provided and locals are being involved for protecting them," he said.

It appears an international smuggling ring has become active in Orissa, he added. But, the news of poaching from Orissa has come as a bolt from blue to wildlife conservationists and officials of the Ministry of Environment and Forest. "Few cases of poaching of elephants are regularly reported from all parts of the country but Orissa's situation is disturbing," said an official of Project Elephant.