Berhampur: Forest officials on Thursday found the carcass of an adult female elephant, suspected to be pregnant, in the Sadangipalli forest on the border of Berhampur-Paralakhemundi forest divisions. The elephant was around 30 years old, sources said.
Forest officials from Digapahandi range in Ganjam and Chandragiri range of Gajapati districts rushed to the spot. The exact cause of death will be ascertained only after post-mortem, said Sunny Khokkar, divisional forest officer (Berhampur). Forest officials also mentioned that the pregnancy of the elephant will be confirmed only after the autopsy.
This was the second elephant death in the area in a month. On Jan 2, a female elephant died due to electrocution. The elephant came into contact with a live wire laid by some farmers to protect their crops from marauding animals. Forest officials arrested two persons.