Bhubaneswar, Nov 22: The death of Makena, a 22-year-old elephant in Chandaka, has drawn strong reactions from Odisha’s Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia.

The minister stated that if the death is found to be man-made, strict action will be taken after investigation. He emphasized that environmental changes and human interference are increasingly threatening the lives of innocent wildlife.

“Environmental imbalance is harmful both to humans and animals. Our department is vigilant about wildlife protection. A team will investigate, and action will follow once the report is submitted,” he said.

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Makena, a well-known elephant in Chandaka, collapsed near Daruthenga Friday after falling ill. A nine-member veterinary team attended to the animal, but despite their efforts, Makena succumbed.

Preliminary reports suggest the elephant may have been suffering from herpes infection, though the exact cause is yet to be confirmed.

In a separate incident, another elephant death was reported from Rasagobindapur Range in Betansia forest. The carcass of a tusker was recovered, though the cause of death remains unclear. Forest officials suspect the tusker may have died following a fight with another elephant. Rasagobindapur Range Officer Ghanshyam Singh noted that such clashes are common among tuskers during territorial disputes.

The back-to-back elephant deaths have raised concerns about wildlife safety in Odisha

Makena’s death is being seen as a significant loss for Chandaka, where elephants are considered symbols of the forest’s heritage. The incident has reignited discussions on the urgent need for stronger conservation strategies and stricter action against illegal activities that endanger wildlife.