Sambalpur: An ailing tusker undergoing treatment at Taladihi forest under Barasuan range succumbed to injuries Tuesday morning.
A team of experts from Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) had tranquilised the ailing tusker and began its treatment Sunday. However, the tusker failed to recover and succumbed to the injuries, the officials said.
“The male pachyderm had sustained injuries on his legs and had a swollen leg due to dislocation of bones. It was initially tranquilised and detailed treatment procedure was carried out by our team. However, we could save it,” a senior official said.
According to sources, the elephant was spotted in a critical condition two days ago. While no exact reason of how it was injured was known, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) informed that the pachyderm suffered the injuries during a fight in the herd and ruled out any poaching incident.
A leg of the animal has swollen due to dislocation of bones, a forest official said. There is no sign of arrow or bullet injury, the official added.
The tusker had been lying in the forest due to the injury. It survived with whatever food locals provided. It may be noted here that at least two women were killed while over 30 were injured while they were on their way to see the pachyderm Saturday evening.
PNN