Poachers at it again,kill 5 more elephants at Similipal reserve

Two years after poisoning 14 elephants inside Similipal Tiger Reserve,poachers have struck again. In the last 20 days,they have killed five more elephants,including a calf,by poisoning the salt lick a mineral deposit where animals can obtain essential mineral nutrients.

Following reports of elephant poaching inside the tiger reserve,a joint team of wildlife activists from Mayurbhanj and range officer B N Marandi found bones and charred remains of three elephants in Durdurchampa range on Sunday. The remains of the three elephants were covered in a pit around 1.5 km from the spot where they were poisoned. The carcass of a baby elephant was found a few kilometres away, said Field Director Anup Kumar Nayak.

From preliminary evidence,it appears that the natural and artificial salt licks in these areas were poisoned with thimate pesticide. It has also come to our notice that the subordinate staff hastily tried to burn the carcasses without informing us. We will take strong action against officials responsible for the poisoning, he added.

A few days ago,the tiger reserve officials had confirmed the death of another elephant by poisoning in Badamukabadi area of Pithabata range.