Rourkela: Eight of 41 bullocks allegedly being transported illegally in cramped and inhumane conditions died after police intercepted a truck in Nuapada district on Saturday. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled.Police spotted the truck, which was coming from the Khariar side, during vehicle checking at Tanwat Chowk and signalled it to stop. The driver, however, abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby agricultural field. Police could not apprehend him despite a search.On inspecting the truck, police found 41 bullocks packed inside, of which 33 were alive while eight were unconscious. The vehicle and the animals were taken to Sri Krishna Gosala at Khariar Road, where the eight unconscious bullocks subsequently died.The 33 surviving bullocks were handed over to the gosala for care and custody. Post-mortem examinations of the eight dead animals were conducted by veterinary officials before they were buried as per procedure.Police registered a case under provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, in connection with the transportation of the animals.Further investigation is underway to identify and arrest the absconding driver and others allegedly involved in the transportation.