Bull elephant found dead

Baripada, Oct 8 (UNI) An adult bull elephant has been found dead at the Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR) which houses 377 pachyderms.

The majestic tusker, aged about 35 to 40 years, was found lying dead on the bank of a hill stream at Digdiga, about 35kms from here recently, said villagers of Lalpani, under Pithabata Range of the STR.

The pair of tusks of the bull were retrieved by the poachers as they were not found in the carcass, the villagers said.

Simlipal bulls are well-known for their highly symmetrical tusks, and hence the reserve had become the hunting ground for the ivory poachers.

Wildlife lovers and conservationists have questioned as to how the skeleton of the liquidated tusker could escape the notice of the field staff of the STR, when the villagers could trace it.

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