BHUBANESWAR: A 60-year-old tusker was found dead under mysterious circumstances near Dasapur within the Chandaka Wildlife Division on Tuesday morning, fuelling fears of poaching. The jumbo was found to bear deep injury marks in the head, abdomen and rear with suspicion of the animal being shot dead. However, the jumbos full grown tusks were intact and the post-mortem of the animal conducted by experts from the Orissa Veterinary College of OUAT ruled out the suspicions, establishing that it was killed in an attack by other males. According to Forest Division sources, the tusker was a frequently sighted animal in the area. It was a solitary animal having been separated from its herd for quite some time now. It usually moved from Bharatpur to Dasapur and back. On Monday night it was seen near Dasapur but did not return to Baharatpur. It was found lying dead at distance from Dasapur. Sources said a new herd has been sighted on the movement route of the tusker in the recent days. The tusker might have come under attack of the male members of the herd. The 10-member pathological team led by head of Pathology of OVC Dr SK Panda, who conducted the post mortem, corroborated stating the injuries were not bullet wounds. “Bullet injuries have been ruled out. The wounds were deep with characteristics of being inflicted in a fight with other male elephants and the victim must have died of excessive bleeding”, Dr Panda said.
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