August 13th 2024.
In the district of Keonjhar, amidst the observance of World Elephant Day, forest officials made a heartbreaking discovery. While exploring the Barbanka reserve forest, they came across the decomposed carcass of a young elephant calf. This news, coinciding with the annual event dedicated to the protection and preservation of these majestic creatures, has stirred deep emotions among nature enthusiasts and wildlife advocates.
The calf, believed to be a member of a seven-elephant herd, was found near Raghubeda dam, about 60 meters from the village of Santrapur. Upon initial investigations, it appears that the young female died less than a week ago. The smell of the carcass drew the attention of locals who were out collecting firewood in the forest. They promptly alerted the Forest officials, who arrived at the scene to conduct further inquiries.
According to sources, there were indications that someone had attempted to burn the carcass. However, this cannot be confirmed until a thorough investigation is carried out by the authorities. A team of veterinarians was also called in to conduct a post-mortem examination before the calf was buried at the spot. The Forest officials have ruled out electrocution as the cause of death, as there were no power sources within a kilometer of the area. Samples have been taken for examination, and the Centre for Wildlife Health has been contacted to determine the exact cause of death.
The incident has raised concerns about the efficiency of the Forest department, as it took them a week to become aware of the calf's death. This lackadaisical approach has sparked anger among animal lovers, who feel that the elephant tracking report submitted by the field staff is a complete failure. The report had claimed that the calf was alive and with its herd, even though it had already passed away a week prior. Allegations have been made that the field staff often submit false reports about the presence of elephants without actually visiting the area and taking stock of the situation.
It is worth noting that five years ago, a decomposed elephant carcass was also discovered in the same reserve forest. Official records show that 12 elephants died in the Keonjhar forest division in 2022-23, and the number rose to 18 in the following year. So far, seven elephant deaths have been reported in the current financial year, with a total of 37 casualties in the last three years. These numbers are alarming, considering that there are only 139 elephants left in the entire Keonjhar forest division.
The destruction of their natural habitats and elephant corridors has led to these gentle creatures wandering aimlessly and often straying into human settlements. Despite the Forest Department's efforts to protect them, the rise in man-animal conflicts is a grave concern. Despite the significant funds allocated for their conservation, the unchecked deaths of these elephants have raised serious concerns among environmentalists and animal lovers. It is high time that we take concrete steps to safeguard these gentle giants and preserve their existence for future generations to witness and admire.
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