Bhubaneswar, Dec 13: The skeletal remains of Ramu, a well-known elephant that once roamed the Chandaka and Bharatpur forest ranges near Bhubaneswar, are set to be exhumed on Saturday as the Forest Department begins the formal process.

Officials said a forensic team, along with forest personnel, has reached the spot inside Chandaka forest where the elephant was buried after its death. Once the remains are recovered, the skeleton will be transported to Godibari for preservation, authorities said.

Ramu was a familiar presence in and around Bhubaneswar, often spotted moving close to urban areas in the Chandaka and Bharatpur regions. Despite occasionally straying near human settlements, the elephant was known for its non-aggressive behaviour and had never attacked people, forest officials said.

Following Ramu’s death, the Forest Department had announced plans to preserve the elephant’s skeletal remains and display them for public awareness, similar to a museum exhibit. The initiative is aimed at promoting wildlife conservation and highlighting the coexistence of humans and elephants in forest fringe areas.

Officials said the preservation work will be carried out following scientific protocols to ensure the remains are properly conserved for long-term display.

This comes in a backdrop where Odisha recorded 136 elephant deaths in the last 18 months, according to data tabled in the Assembly by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia on December 9.

Of the 136 elephant deaths reported in the past 18 months, electrocution emerged as the leading cause, accounting for 42 fatalities. Another 31 elephants died due to various diseases, while an equal number succumbed to other natural causes. The state also recorded four cases of poaching and four deaths linked to retaliatory attacks by local residents. Train collisions claimed four more elephants, underscoring persistent gaps in rail-route safety measures. In addition, the cause of 20 deaths remains undetermined, with investigations still underway to establish whether they were accidental, natural or linked to human interference.

Also Read: Fresh Discord Surfaces In Odisha Congress; Moquim Targets Bhakta Das

The minister informed that 92 persons linked to elephant deaths have been arrested and charge-sheeted, and all cases are under regular monitoring.