Balasore, Oct. 4: The Mayurbhanj forest division has initiated a probe after a decomposed elephant carcass was found in the reserve forest within the limits of Similipal tiger reserve.

Apart from suspending the local forester in charge, the forest department has also announced Rs 10,000 as award for anyone volunteering to provide information.

The range officer of Kaptipada found the carcass of the near-adult jumbo during routine patrolling in the Nato reserve forest yesterday. Veterinary surgeons suggested that the death occurred at least 25 days ago.

The sex of the jumbo couldn’t be ascertained because of the decomposed state of its carcass. However, the pachyderm’s tusks were not found.

While the reason of the death could not be established because of the time lapse, officials are not ruling out poisoning for poaching.

Divisional forest officer Bijay Kumar Panda said forester Himansu Sekhar Mohanta had been placed under suspension for dereliction of duty.

“Though the incident took place hardly two kilometres away from human habitat, Mohanta has failed to notice the death,” said Panda.

“Since the place is located near Katuria village, the involvement of poachers can’t be ruled out easily,” said the divisional forest officer, adding that the assistant conservator of forest stationed at Udala had been assigned with the task to probe into the incident.

The carcass suggests that the jumbo was about 6-ft high and 15 years old. Kaptipada range officer Prafulla Mallick said: “We have engaged our sources in the villages adjacent to the reserve forest.”