Koraput: A male elephant died after being hit by a train locomotive in Rayagada district on Wednesday. The incident took place at Muniguda range’s Bissam Cuttack section in Rayagada forest division and the carcass was spotted near the railway track on Thursday, officials said.The incident took place around 11pm near Brundabadi village in Bhatpur panchayat. Forest officials from the Muniguda range have initiated action as per the prescribed wildlife protocol.Sachin Annasaheb Ohal, the divisional forest officer (DFO) of Rayagada, said the exact circumstances leading to the elephant’s death were being investigated. “We have initiated a preliminary investigation and are examining the circumstances surrounding the elephant’s presence near the railway track. The exact cause of its death will be established after the necessary examination,” he added.According to the DFO, further action would be taken after the post-mortem examination.
