Bhubaneswar, Jan 19: The deaths and crop loss due to elephant attack in different parts of Odisha has alarmed the forest department. 

To counter the loss, the forest department is set to engage trained elephants to tackle the wild pachyderms. In the first phase, elephants will be trained in Chandaka, Satakosia, Kapilash and Similipal.

In the second phase, elephant training will be given in Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary also. 

However, finding capable elephant mahouts is going to be a tough task said the officials. It is also proposed to invite mahouts from other states for training the elephants.