Tusker poached in Palamu Tiger Reserve

Daltonganj: A tusker with a big tusk was poached in compartment number 7 of the Bareysarn range of the tiger reserve in Palamu late on Tuesday, said noted elephant specialist and former member of the elephant project, D S Srivastava.
He added, "For his one and a half tusk, people used to worship him as Lord Ganesha." The elephant was cordial with the residents too.It was a popular sight in this range until it was gunned down.
Confirming the poaching, Syed Ehtesham Hussain Kazmi, the field director of the tiger reserve, said the elephant was found killed near Beeya Cheeran nullah. Its small tusk had been removed but the big one weighing 7kg was intact. Kazmi's ranger added, "It saved because it sunk into the earth and the poachers could not dislodge it."
Of late, the tiger reserve has become a cemetery for elephants. "About two months back, a pregnant elephant was found dead," said DFO buffer area, A K Mishra. Another elephant was found dead right inside the National Park Betla . Srivastava said, "It is a poaching case. Dislodging of tusks is done for money as they bring in huge money," he said.
Wild animals are vulnerable to poaching and poisoning. In 2012, an elephant was found poisoned to death in this tiger reserve. "I was in Ranchi reently and spoke to PCCF of Jharkhand, D K Srivastava, and told him that the tiger reserve would soon be history owing to the gross negligence and apathy of the state government."