A female elephant, aged about eight years, was found dead near the cyclone shelter of Paikerapur village under Mancheswar GP of Athagarh block on Thursday morning.
After villagers informed about it to forest officials, Athagarh DFO Arun Kumar Swain and Khuntuni Range Officer Ratnakar Das reached the spot and started an inquiry.
The cause of the animal's death was yet to ascertained. However, since a 33-KV electric wire has passed through the area, locals suspected the death due to electrocution.
An OUAT doctors' team reached the spot to inquire into the cause of death and conducted autopsy of the pachyderm.Notably, two elephants have been found dead in two days under the Athagarh Forest Division. Such incidents have been occurring frequently due to non-patrolling of the forests by officials, allege locals.