BHUBANESWAR: A sanctuary for the wildlife till not so long ago, Similipal Tiger Reserve and its adjoining forests are slowly turning into a den for the hunters, both organised and traditional. At least six elephants have been reported poached in and around the famous tiger habitat in the last few weeks. While four casualties were reported in the last week of April, the forest officials have detected two more deaths in Karanjia, abutting the sanctuary, last week after they followed a lead. Sources in Similipal Tiger Reserve said when the forest officials and locals reached the site, burnt remains of the carcasses were found. Poaching is strongly suspected since the hunters are believed to have made away with the tusks of the elephants. Earlier this month, four pachyderms including a family of three, were found poisoned deep inside the core area of the tiger reserve in Palpala forests of Similipal. Tusks of the male elephant were missing raising suspicion of organised poaching while ritualistic