A male elephant was shot dead and its two tusks were taken away by poachers in Keonjhar district, forest officials said here on Tuesday.
The decomposed carcass of the tusker was spotted by villagers near Kachapani under the Keonjhar Forest Division on Tuesday morning, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Samyak Samantara said.
The elephant, aged about 23 years, was believed to have been killed seven to eight days ago, he added.
On being informed by villagers, forest officials along with veterinarians reached the spot. It was established from preliminary investigations that the animal was shot at its temple leading to its death.
A few days back also, elephant poachers had killed a tusker and removed its tusks. However, two tusks were subsequently recovered by forest personnel and five persons were arrested in this connection.