Chhattisgarh: Elephant calf injured in suspect bomb explosion at Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve

Gariaband (Chhattisgarh) [India], November 11 (ANI): An elephant calf has been injured in a suspected bomb explosion in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve in the Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh, said a forest official on Monday.

Varun Jain, the Deputy Director of Udanti-Sitandi Tiger Reserve said that a team of doctors and a bomb squad had been called from the capital city Raipur.
"We received information about the scattered blood in the Udanti-Sitandi Tiger Reserve, which is also a zone of elephant roaming. Upon receiving the information, the Anti-Poaching team traced the footsteps in a 6-7 km area and after that, we got to know that an elephant was injured. After that our team through drone cameras found an elephant calf (5-6 years old) that has injuries on its legs and mouth. So, possibly, it is the same injured elephant. At the same time, we have found a part of 'potash bomb' near the premises, which indicates that the calf was possibly injured after eating and walking on that bomb," Jain told ANI.
He further said, "We are investigating the matter and have also called a team of doctors and a bomb squad team from Raipur."
The forest official conveyed that the forest department received information about the scattered blood in the elephant roaming zone and upon thorough investigation, it was found that an elephant calf was injured in the suspected potash bomb explosion.
He added that potash bomb is used by poachers for hunting pigs and leopards but it is a subject of investigation whether they were being used for elephants or not. He also informed that a reward of Rs 10,000 has been set for the poachers.
Varun Jain said, "We are also investigating about poachers. We have set a reward of Rs 10,000 for giving information about the poachers. Potash bombs are used by poachers to hunt of animals such as pigs and leopards. We are investigating whether they used the bomb for elephants or other animals. We will investigate more about the injury through drone cameras and then further medical procedures will be taken. Permission has been sought to treat the elephant by making it unconscious." (ANI)