A wild elephant that was trapped in heavy mud at Kathgora forest division in Korba district of Chhattisgarh died on Friday, officials said.
As per locals the elephant was trapped in a marshy filed at Bankheta para under Kulahria Gram Panchayat of Kendai forest rage in Kathghora forest division since Friday.
However, forest officials claimed that they got information about the elephant being trapped in mud on Thursday afternoon following which the rescue operation was launched.
“I have sought a report on entire incident from CCF Bilaspur division and further action will be taken based on the report,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Atul Shukla said.
Forest officials while outlining the challenges said that they tried entire day to pull out the elephant. JCB machine was also deployed to rescue the elephant but due to slippery conditions the machine could not function.
Also, at the nightfall other wild elephants too used to come out to rescue the pachyderm trapped in marsh, thus hampering the rescue operation.
Notably, Kathghora, Dharamjaigarh, Korba and other northern regions of Chhattisgarh are home to more than 200 wild elephants.