Dhenkanal: A male elephant was electrocuted after it came in contact with live electric wires at Kanchamandia hill near Dudurakote village under Hindol forest range in Dhenkanal district Wednesday.
The deceased jumbo is a male elephant which does not have tusk. The matter came to light after locals spotted the pachyderm lying on the ground and informed the forest department. The incident taking place at the start of the New Year has spread concern among wildlife lovers and animal welfare activists.
The pachyderm aged around 35 is suspected to have died after coming in contact with the live wire laid by poachers to hunt wild boars. However, the actual cause behind the death will be ascertained after availability of the post-mortem report.
On being informed, divisional forest officer Sudarshan Patra, assistant chief conservator of forests (ACCF) Jeetndranath Das and forest officials reached the spot and launched a probe into the animal’s death. The carcass was buried at the spot after veterinarian conducted a post-mortem
ACCF Das said the death of the pachyderm might be due to electrocution adding that a manhunt has been launched to nab the poachers who had laid live wires to poach wild boars.
Notably, 76 elephants have died in this district due to various reasons over last five years out of which 18 died of electrocution. As many as 15 elephants have died in 2018-19 out of which 10 died of electrocution.
Seven elephants were electrocuted near Kamalanga village under Kantabania police limits in Dhenkanal district October 27. Following the incident, the forest & environment and the energy departments dismissed one official and suspended six others for dereliction of duty.
Similarly, a female elephant was electrocuted at Icchapur under Sadar forest range June 4, 2018 and a 45-year old tusker at Jharbeda under Hindol forest range August 31, 2018.
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