​​​​​​​Dhenkanal, Dec 20:The Odisha Forest Department on Saturday has ordered a probe into the death of an elephant calf due to electrocution at the Mahadia village in Dhenkanal on Friday.

Following the incident, the DFO Dhenkanal took stock of the matter from the ground and initiated a thorough enquiry into it, on how the calf was electrocuted to death. Whether the elephant calf died after coming in contact with the solar fence or a slack electric wire, a team was entrusted to ascertain the precise cause behind the accident.

Panic gripped the Mahadia Village of Dhenkanal district in Odisha on Friday night as a number of jumbos found straying around a severely charred calf that was reportedly electrocuted while it was rampaging towards the village amid a herd.

The incident took place in the forest under the Mahadia Section under the Dhenkanal territorial division.

According to primary sources, a herd of elephants was rampaging towards the Mahadia village. Meanwhile, the calf came in contact with a charged electric wire and died on the spot.

The herd suddenly dispersed from the spot, responding to the hoarse trumpet of the calf before its tragic death. However, two elephants again barged for the scene and strayed around the carcass whereas a herd of at least 19 elphants kept the area gheraoed causing fright for the locals.

On being informed, the Range officials rushed to the spot who initiated an operation to chase the elephants from the spot and recover the carcasss for inquest and medical examination.