Argus Update News 2pm
Bhubaneswar, Feb 15: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed deep concerns over death of wild elephants at Karalapat wildlife sanctuary in Kalahandi district and directed the Forest and Environment and the Animal Resources Departments to work in coordination and take joint steps to check jumbo deaths.
Reviewing possible causes of deaths through video conferencing with officers, Patnaik asked the two departments to consult experts from across the country to check deaths.
He asked the district administration and DFO to ensure vaccination of cattle in the villages close to the sanctuary. He stressed on cleaning of all water bodies in the area. It was revealed that 25 out of 53 water sources have been disinfected in the sanctuary.
It was also revealed that six of a herd of eight elephants died due to Hemorrhagic Septicemia caused by the Pasteurella Multocida.
The Chief Minister asked the officials to ensure that the other two herds of pachyderms don’t come in contact with the affected herd.
A total of 10 teams of the Forest personnel has been formed to keep a track on the movement of the elephants.
