Elephant dies of old age in Simlipal forest

Baripada, Jul 24 (UNI) A nearly 60-year old and eight feet tall cow elephant was found dead at the Balanga (East) Forest Compartment No 12 of the Simlipal reserve forest yesterday, simplipal sanctuary sources said here today.

The field staff of the Pithabata Range sighted the carcass of the pachyderm near Kitadihi in the said compartment, about 25 km from here, during their routine patrolling yesterday morning, sources said.

Deputy Director of the Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR) Manoj V Nair and Baripada Divisional Forest Officer Saloram Marandi have visited the spot and confirmed that the animal died of old age.

Meanwhile, an autopsy of the carcass of the pachyderm conducted by the forest officials revealed that the 60-year old animal died of old age.

The autopsy report further said the elongated trunk, the head, and the animal's back were found intact and that there were no marks of external injuries on them.

After the autopsy, the carcass of the animal was buried in a pit at Kitadihi in the Balanga (east) forest compartment.

UNI XC-DP KK BDP NS1907