Bhubaneswar, June 8 -- A decomposed carcass of a female elephant was recovered from a forest in Odisha's Ganjam district on Monday, prompting an investigation by forest officials into the circumstances surrounding its death. The skeletal remains were found in the Paichalia forest under the Tarasingh forest range in the North Ghumusar region of Bhanjanagar town. Local forest personnel discovered the skeleton during routine surveillance and immediately informed senior officials.

Preliminary reports by the forest department suggest that the elephant was around five to six years old. Officials believe the animal may have died nearly 10 to 15 days ago, based on the condition of the remains recovered from the site.

A team of forest officials ...