The 17-year-old elephant that had entered into a village pond at Saplahara under Jujumura block to drink water and couldn’t come out finally died on Tuesday. Veterinary doctors from OUAT, Nandankanan, Satkosia and from the local area had tried their best to save the animal.
“All developed treatments were provided, but we couldn’t save its life, for which we are deeply shocked,” said Sambalpur DFO Viswanth, adding, “Today also, we brought the big elephant from water to dry surface by crane. Still then we couldn’t save its life as it was not taking food for the last four days.”
The doctors had suggested keeping the elephant in water as it would be helpful in its quick recovery, but that also didn’t work, Viswanath informed.
But villagers alleged that forest department made delay in bringing the elephant from water to surface and that was the main reason behind its death, which the Forest Department denied strongly.