Bhubaneswar: The decomposed carcass of a tusker was found in Narasinghpur forest under Athagarh Forest Division in Odisha’s Cuttack district recently.
The Forest department is yet to cite any reason behind the tusker’s death.
A few locals spotted the carcass while collecting minor forest produce on September 18. On being informed, officials of the Forest department reached the spot and launched an inquiry into the incident, sources said.
The carcass was buried after the veterinarians conducted a postmortem on September 19, sources added.
“The tusker was around four years in age. Its tusks were very much intact when we reached the spot on September 18. Preliminary investigation suggests that the tusker might have died due to natural causes. However, we are waiting for the postmortem report to ascertain the exact cause behind its death. The postmortem was conducted in the presence of Athagarh DFO and other senior officials,” said Narasinghpur East Range Officer Subhas Chandra Rout.
Athagarh Veterinary Assistant Surgeon Sourav Das said they would send viscera samples of the tusker for laboratory tests to ascertain the cause behind its death.
“The carcass of the tusker was found in a highly decomposed state. So, the postmortem report may not reveal the exact cause behind its death. Laboratory examination of viscera samples is required in this case. It is believed that the tusker might have died around a week ago,” he added.
