BALASORE: Decomposed body of an elephant was found from Similipal forest in Mayurbhanj district on Tuesday. While locals claimed that the jumbo was killed for tusks, forest officials suspect that it may have died due to disease.
Sources said the carcass of the five-year-old elephant was found inside Sanachandri jungle under Balidiha section of Pithabata range.
The tusks of the elephant, which is suspected to have died more than 20 days back, were removed. Along with forest officials, a team of veterinary surgeons rushed to the spot and conducted post-mortem.
Baripada DFO Sanjay Kumar Swain said the elephant was part of a herd that had entered nearby villages. It is suspected that it fell sick while returning from a village, he added and ruled out poaching.
