A female elephant was found dead in a field in Baharagora, suspected of heart attack.
A female elephant was discovered dead in Baharagora’s Bhadua village on Friday morning, with veterinarians suspecting a heart attack.
JAMSHEDPUR – On Friday morning, a female elephant was discovered dead in the field of farmer Dakhin Murmu in Bhadua village, Sandra Panchayat, Baharagora block.
Upon receiving the information, a team from the Forest Department arrived at the scene.
Veterinarians suspect that the elephant may have died from a heart attack.
However, villagers claim that a fight between elephants occurred on Thursday night, leading to the death of the female elephant.
Despite these claims, no signs of a struggle were found in the area.
The veterinarians conducted a post-mortem and sent the viscera for examination to determine the exact cause of death.
The carcass was buried in the field after the post-mortem.
DFO Saba Alam Ansari and Ranger Digvijay Singh, along with several forest guards, were present at the scene.
Veterinarians Dr. Rajesh Kumar Singh, Dr. Manoj Kumar Mahanta, and Dr. Prashant Kumar performed the post-mortem.
On Thursday night, a herd of 10-12 elephants entered Barshol from Bengal.
The herd was roaming near the forests of Bhadua village, where the fight reportedly took place.
Villagers mentioned that the herd is still taking refuge in the nearby forest.
No evidence of electrocution was found at the scene.
Veterinarian Dr. Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed that no electric wires or signs of electrocution were found near the site.
However, several packets of herbicide were discovered in the field, raising suspicions that the elephant might have ingested the poison, leading to a heart attack.
The female elephant was approximately 40 years old and six feet tall.
The carcass was buried using a JCB machine after a ritualistic prayer by the villagers.
The Forest Department has denied any fight among the elephants.
According to their investigation, the elephant might have been poisoned or electrocuted, although no signs of disease were found on the animal.
Villagers are now in fear following the incident.
Residents of Bhadua and surrounding villages are concerned that the other elephants in the herd might become aggressive following the death.
Recent attacks by wild elephants in Barshol have already heightened tensions, resulting in several human fatalities.
The forest officials are monitoring the herd closely.
Kolhan has become a death zone for elephants, with nine deaths reported in 2024.
Once considered a safe zone for elephants, Kolhan has now seen an alarming number of deaths, with nine elephants dying in 2024 alone—seven due to electrocution and two from other causes.
In recent weeks, two elephants died in the Chandil and Chilgu areas near Dalma, and one died crossing a railway track.
Over the past five years, Kolhan has lost 62 elephants.
In January 2023, a young elephant was killed by a train near Gunda Bihar station, and in November 2023, seven elephants died simultaneously in Chakulia and Dhalbhumgarh.
DFO Saba Alam Ansari stated that the post-mortem report is expected by Saturday.
Only then will the exact cause of death be confirmed.
Currently, there are no visible external injuries on the elephant’s body.
