Elephant killings rock Simlipal

Some sad news from Similipal

BHUBANESWAR: A dozen elephants were found killed in Simlipal forest during a recent census, shocking officials and underscoring the threat to the animals from organised poaching gangs. The needle of suspicion also points towards some forest officials, who may be hand in glove with the poachers.

Regional chief conservator of forests (RCCF) Ajit Bhartuar, who spoke to TOI from Baripada, admitted the deaths had taken place but did not agree with the number.

“The matter is being inquired into. We have confirmed reports of six deaths,” he said. The slaughter of the elephants could have gone unnoticed had Sanjukta Basa, honorary wildlife warden of Mayurbhanj district, not insisted on visiting the core area. “We have so far got information about 12 deaths. The number could be more in the vast 2,750 sqkm area,” said Bhanumitra Acharya, environment activist, who accompanied Basa.

“We took video pictures. Evidence on the killings was submitted. In our report, we have indicated five more elephants could have been killed,” said Acharya. Foresters, he added, had tried to cover up the deaths. “The Pithabata Range officer refused to allow us to enter despite an official permission. But we managed somehow. We found they had tried to hush up evidence by trying to bury or burn the carcasses,” said Acharya.
A forest guard was suspended after the killings were reported. “The CBI should investigate,” Biswajit Mohanty of the Wildlife Society of Orissa has written to environment minister Jairam Ramesh.

Article taken from http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/6001002.cms