15-yr-old male elephant found dead in Similipal

Keonjhar: A male elephant was found dead near Silichua village in Satkosia range of Similipal National Park on Tuesday.Locals reported that the 15-year-old tusker was seen drinking from a pond near the forest around 7 am. Witnesses said the elephant stumbled and fell on a nearby road before getting up and retreating into the forest, where it collapsed again.Forest officials, led by divisional forest officer Srikanta Nayak, rushed to the scene after receiving alerts from villagers. A team of wildlife experts and veterinarians conducted a preliminary investigation."Post-mortem revealed no visible injury marks on the body," said Rabindra Mohanta, range officer of Satkosia. "The elephant had been spotted moving alone in the area for several days. Exact cause of death will be ascertained after we receive the complete autopsy report."Forest department officials have seized the carcass and are continuing their investigation.