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Train kills two elephants in Orissa

        Keonjhar, Barang (Orissa): Two elephants were run over by a speeding goods train in Keonjhar district, in Orissa. A group of four elephants were crossing a railway track in Joda forest area. A third elephant was injured and it disappeared into the jungle. Forest officials rescued a injured four-month-calf, which has been shifted to the Nandankanan Zoo near Bhubaneswar. Veterinary officials said the zoo is taking care of the calf. "We are trying to feed it properly and applying all preventive measures required to maintain resistance levels, which it normally gets from its mother's milk. We are trying to substitute it," said P.K. Ray, a veterinary officer. Elephants and other wild animals often fall victim to trains hits. The elephant population in the forests of Keonjhar District has come down from 112 in 2002 to 33 in 2007. The jumbos in turn, have killed 176 people since 2001. India has over 50 per cent of the Asiatic elephant population, but this figure is dwindling due to poaching. Home to about 50,000 elephants a century ago, India now has a little over 21,000 of them. According to experts, only 20 per cent of India's landmass is forested and just 120,000 sq km - less than four per cent of the countries - of it is suitable elephant habitat. Orissa with nearly 1,900 elephants is home to the largest number of elephants in India. India has an estimated 30,000 wild and captive elephants.
- September 21,  2007