7 jumbos in Odisha die of haemorrhagic septicaemia

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 24

The death of elephants in the Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha has been due to haemorrhagic septicaemia caused by bacteria Pasteurella multocida, the Environment Ministry has said.

According to officials, the central investigation team of project elephant division visited the Karlapat sanctuary in Kalhandi south division of Odisha and investigated the spot. A total of seven elephants have died at the sanctuary this month.

Investigation of the carcass of elephants and a cow in the sanctuary by the Odisha veterinary college has revealed that they died due to haemorrhagic septicaemia caused by bacteria pasteurella multocida. The samples were sent to Indian Veterinary Research Institute for confirmatory diagnosis.

Meetings were also held with the District Collector and district veterinary team on the measures to be taken to prevent further spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, vaccination of cattle inside the sanctuary and in the fringe villages has also been done, the officials said. The number of deaths in Odisha’s Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary went up to seven this week after the decomposed body of a calf was found.