Joda/Champua: An injured elephant, which was treated by a team of 35 forest officials and veterinarians two days ago at Chamakpur in Champua forest range of Keonjhar district died Tuesday. Locals, however, claimed a delay in treatment led to the animal’s death.
The injured elephant had been on the move for nearly three weeks before it was spotted by locals of Saragtalia village. Joda forester Peon Nayak and Joda veterinary officer Dr Madhab Choudhary searched for the animal in Ingajharan and Chamakpur, but failed to spot it.
After another search operation, the pachyderm was found near KC Pradhan mines. The animal was tranquilised and a team of forest officials and veterinarians with the help of Dr Khaling Changma of Similpal Tiger Project treated the animal. Its condition was stable after treatment, but it succumbed to the injuries at 12.30pm Tuesday.
Locals alleged that the elephant had not been treated in time, leading to its death.