Bhubaneswar: Two tuskers were electrocuted after coming in contact with high tension wires in separate incidents in Mayurbhanj and Angul districts, Wednesday.
A report from Baripada said, a 12-year-old tusker was electrocuted after coming in contact with an 11kV wire at Sunaposi forest under Baripada forest division in Mayurbhanj district.
It is alleged the mishap occurred due to lack of coordination between the Energy and Forest department. The 11-kv transmission wire was dangling 10 ft above the ground. Forest officials suspect that the mishap might have occurred due to the sagging high transmission wires.
Forest officials led by Baripada DFO Swayam Mallick rushed to the spot and started an investigation into the incident. Though the energy department was apprised of the elephant movement in the area, no steps were taken by it, he added.
Another tusker was found dead after it came in contact with live electric wires allegedly laid by poachers in a paddy field to catch wild boars at Hemamura village under Handapa forest range of Athamallik block in Angul district late Tuesday night.