Baripada, Sept. 13: Mysterious deaths of an 18-year-old elephant and her four-month-old calf in Gudugudia range of Karanjia forest division in Similipal have caused concern for wildlife authorities and activists.

The carcasses were found near Chamara Sahi on the corridor between Badampahad and Dhabdhaba close to the Jharkhand border. From the symptoms that were evident in the carcasses, the authorities suspect that the death was caused by anthrax. Blood samples of the carcasses have been sent to the Animal Disease Research Institute in Bhubaneswar for further testing. "The bodies were disposed of in high-flame incineration followed by sanitation of the area with formalin. Initial report confirmed presence of anthrax bacteria. The bodies have been burnt and all precautionary measures are being undertaken," said Karanjia divisional forest officer Prasanna Kumar Behera.

In June, one tusker was found dead with similar symptoms. The sample sent to the National Institute Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Bangalore, confirmed that the death was due to the anthrax bacteria.

In the past two years, official sources said 16 elephant deaths, including seven in the core region of the Similipal forests, had been reported. Most of them were found to be inflicted with anthrax.

"In order to prevent flying of vegetative pores, the carcasses of such cases are disposed of in the high flame incineration and the area is sanitised," said Satpathy. He said that two scientists - Manjunath Reddy and Satish Shivam - from the Animal Disease Research Institute had visited vulnerable patches in the forest in January.