Elephant Killings Rock Simlipal

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. Read the full report here.