An elephant was found dead near Digajharana village under Jujumura block of Sambalpur district ironically on the World Elephant Day on Wednesday.
Locals spotted the jumbo’s carcass in the morning and informed Forest Department officials about it.
The ailing elephant was roaming in the nearby forest for the last few days, villagers said, adding that though they had informed forest officials about it three days ago, no step was taken to come to the animal’s rescue.
The reason behind the death of the elephant could be ascertained after an autopsy, an official said.
