Three elephants die in Rairkhol forest

Sambalpur, Oct 17 (UNI) Three elephants were killed yesterday after they came in contact with high voltage electric line inside the Polagada forest under Rairakhol sub-division, 90 km from here in the inaccessible Naktideul-Daincha road.

Forest department sources said two of the dead pachyderms were female. One spotted deer was also found shot dead by some unknown miscreants at Mochibahal.

However, it was not immediately known whether the elephants died after coming in contact with electricity lines from the poles or the lines had been laid by the farmers as a preventive measure to save their standing crops.

Wildlife activist Puspa Mohapatra has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and strong action against the culprits involved in the crime.

UNI XC-DP KK DB1624