Dhenkanal (Odisha): A newborn elephant calf died due to premature birth in Kaju Bagicha near Baladiabandh Mahulipada of Dhenkanal district on Tuesday.
The calf was born around Monday midnight, but since it was a premature birth, it died soon after.
Divisional Forest Officer Pradipta Kumar Sahoo said, the calf's mother is alive.
Meanwhile, wildlife officials are worried about the spread of anthrax in the world famous Simlipal Sanctuary. An elephant died in the second week of this month in Subarnamanjari forest under Dukuri forest range of Baripada forest division.
Later, a viscera test conducted by Animal Diseases Research Institute, Cuttak, confirmed the presence of bacillus anthacis, the anthrax organism, in the elephant.
Wildlife staff are carrying out an elaborate vaccination drive in the foothills of Similipal following the anthrax scare.
