Balasore: Fear of anthrax gripped animal lovers and forest department officials after two elephant carcasses, in a highly decomposed state, were recovered from Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Balasore district.
Forest officials Tuesday found carcasses of two female elephants in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in the district. The death of the two elephants is suspected to be caused by anthrax.
Taking serious note, forest officials swung into to study the disease and avoid other pachyderms coming in contact with the deadly disease. Veterinary doctors were engaged to test the deceased while forest officials took steps to prevent other elephants from straying into the area.
The carcasses of two female elephants, aged between 25 and 30 years, were spotted by forest guards on patrol near Balichua in the reserve forest Tuesday, said Laxman Pradhan, assistant conservator of forest, Kuldiha. He added the pachyderms appeared to have died from some disease. However, the exact reason of their deaths would be certain only after the post-mortem report is issued.
A team of forest officials, along with veterinary doctors, have visited the site.
The carcasses were reportedly found within a distance of about 200 metre in the sanctuary following which the forest department officials informed their higher-ups.
Later, the regional chief conservator of forest (RCCF) and assistant conservator of forest (ACF), Kuldiha reached the spot and sent the carcasses for post-mortem.
Preliminary investigations suggested that the elephants were suffering from anthrax, Pradhan informed.
“We suspect that the elephants were suffering from anthrax but the actual reason behind the death could be established only after receiving the post-mortem report,” he further said.
PNN