Sadangi range officer Ashok Kumar Bhanj said the young elephant having about a tush of 6 inches, was found dead on the Kendupada-Khantara Gundia road this morning.
"The elephant might have been killed due to fighting in the herd. There are injury marks on its body," Bhanj said.
The carcass has been sent for post-mortem to ascertain cause of the elephant's death, Bhanj said adding, forest officials are also investigating the matter.