The Birmitrapur forest officials managed to nab a mahout of an 80-year-old female elephant as he deserted the animal near the Kadobahal market after she fell ill three days ago.
According to sources, three mahouts along with three elephants from Uttar Pradesh had come to Sundargarh district a few days ago. On Sunday night, three mahouts had reached near Kadobahal market in Birmitrapur. But when one of three elephants became ill, the three mahouts had left that place along with two other elephants before the sunrise leaving the old elephant there.
The Kadobahal villagers informed Birmitrapur forest officials following which Range Officer Johana Oram along with veterinary officials rushed to spot and successfully treated the animal.
On Monday afternoon, forest officials located the three mahouts at Jalangbira village and handed over them the aged animal.
Finally on Tuesday the forest officials managed to passage the three elephants along with their three mahouts near Jamdih area near Jharkhand border.