Bhubaneswar, Dec. 15 -- A female elephant sustained critical injuries after an explosive, suspected to be a firecracker went off inside its mouth in the Bangiriposi area of Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, triggering serious concern among forest officials and wildlife conservationists.

The injured elephant was rescued by the Forest Department on Thursday after it strayed away from its herd and was found wandering in a severely wounded condition. Forest officials said the animal had suffered deep injuries to its mouth and was immediately tranquillised before being shifted to the Talabandha area under Bangiriposi range for treatment.

A veterinary medical team from the Baripada Forest Division has been attending to the elephant since its resc...