A tusker was found dead in the Patra jungle near Hiru Mirdhapada under the Badasahi section of the Padia‑Bahal forest range, triggering concern among locals and wildlife officials.
According to reports, villagers first noticed a strong stench emanating from the forest and alerted the Forest Department. A team of forest personnel rushed to the spot and discovered the carcass of a tusker believed to be around 12 years old.
Sambalpur DFO Sudarshan Gopinath Yadav and Range Officer Sunil Khilari, along with senior officials, visited the site to assess the situation. Preliminary findings suggest the elephant may have died of septicaemia, a severe bacterial infection, about four to five days ago.
Officials said the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the post‑mortem report. The carcass was found in a decomposed state, indicating the animal had been dead for several days.
The incident has sparked discussion in the local area, with villagers expressing concern over recurring elephant deaths in the region. The Forest Department has informed a special squad and expects a team from Bhubaneswar to arrive soon for further investigation.
Authorities are also examining whether environmental factors or disease outbreaks could be contributing to recent wildlife fatalities in western Odisha.
