Cuttack: The carcass of another elephant was recovered from a forest area near Kaanseilo village under the Narsinghpur forest range, officials said on Sunday.

Range Officer Kulesh Sahu said the deceased female elephant was estimated to be over 50 years old. The exact cause of death is yet to be ascertained.

Following the incident, Additional Athagarh Divisional Forest Officer Biswal Chichilichi visited the spot to assess the situation. A special task force team from Bhubaneswar also reached the site to assist in the investigation.

The latest incident has intensified concerns over a sharp rise in elephant deaths in the Badamba-Narsinghpur region. According to sources, more than 15 elephants have died in the area over the past two months.

Environmentalists have expressed alarm over the trend, warning that continued losses could pose a serious threat to the local elephant population.

Recent cases include elephant deaths reported from several locations such as Seramunda, Kharuani, Shishupathar (where a 10-year-old tusker died), Barsinga (where an ailing female elephant died), Chatrapada, Kharod near Mahakali Peeth, Bhuska and Khesera forests, and areas near Mangala Temple in Badamba, among others.

Authorities are expected to conduct a detailed inquiry to determine the cause of the deaths and take necessary measures to prevent further incidents.