Hemgiri/Keonjhar: Forest officials Tuesday recovered the carcass of an elephant calf from a forest near Manikeswari temple on Sukhabandh-Beheramunda road under the Hemgiri forest range of Sundargarh district.
Forest officials suspected the elephant might have died three days ago as the carcass was completely found in a decomposed state. Hemgiri Range officials reached the spot and performed post-mortem.
Meanwhile, a herd of elephants have been wreaking havoc in Champua range of Keonjhar district for the last two months, reports said.
A herd of elephants has reportedly damaged two houses at Hudi Sahi in Chamakpur. More than 20 elephants have entered Champua forest range and destroyed paddy crop in Chamakpur, Mirigisinga, Mukundpur, Saragatalia and Mangalpur areas.
The locals are apprehensive about the frequent attack from elephants.
Meanwhile, the forest department has deployed 15 squads to drive away the herd. Efforts are on to scare away the elephants by cracker bursting during the day and using torch light at night, informed officials.
PNN