CM Naveen Patnaik expresses concern over death of elephants

The Samikhsya Bureau

BHUBANESWAR:  Successive death of six elephants during 14 days in Kalahandi’s Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary has caused much worries for Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The Chief Minister has directed the concerned government agencies to ensure immediate measures to save the endangered animals.

Four female elephants and a calf were found dead since February 1 in the sanctuary that has a population of 17 elephants as per the census undertaken in 2018.

The sanctuary is spread over 175 square kilometres.

The latest causality was traced on Monday.

Officials of the Divisional Forest Office in Kalahandi have rushed to the sanctuary for monitoring the situation.

The death of elephants is due to Haemorrhage Septicemia (HS), the officials said.

The Chief Minister has been apprised of the latest situation, they added.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has directed the departments of Forest and Environment and Animal Resources to consult experts to stop further death of the elephants.

He also held a review meeting of the situation and directed the district administration and the DFO to ensure vaccination of cattle in villages close to the sanctuary.

He has also asked to ensure disinfection of the water bodies in the sanctuary.

The post-mortem report and laboratory report of one dead elephant is hinting at HS, experts from OUAT in Bhubaneswar have revealed.