Kalahandi: The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Shashi Paul, today visited Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary in Kalahandi district following the death of six elephants in the past two weeks.
The PCCF visit came a day after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed concern over the elephant deaths in the sanctuary.
At a review meeting on Monday, the CM directed the Forest and Environment Department and Animal Resources Department to to consult experts, from Odisha and outside, and take measures to prevent deaths.
Naveen also directed the Kalahandi district administration and Divisional Forest Officer to ensure vaccination of cattle in the villages close to the sanctuary, disinfect water bodies and send water samples to labs for test.
The six elephants from the same herd succumbed to haemorrhagic septicaemia after being infected with Pasteurella Multocida bacteria.
Earlier on Saturday, a team of experts from Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) led by Prof Niranjan Sahu had visited the sanctuary to ascertain the cause of the deaths.
