One more elephant dies of electrocution in TN

In the second such incident this month, an elephant died of electrocution when it came into contact with an illegal high voltage electrified fence at a farm in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) in the district, forest officials said today.

The male elephant was found dead near the farm land in Elanchi village under Kadambur forest in STR yesterday and a veterinarian declared it died of electrocution, they said.

A case had been registered in this connection and a search was on for owner of the farm, Krishnasamy, police said adding the fence had been put up to protect the crop.

The incident comes close on the heels of a similar tragedy on May 3 when a male elephant, believed to be 11 years old, was electrocuted in Neithalapuram village in the STR.

It too had come into contact with an illegal high-voltage fence erected to prevent animals from entering farm lands and damage crops.

The latest incident is also the third elephant death recorded in the district in as many days as a 15-year old pachyderm died in Anthiyur yesterday due to dehydration.

Deaths of elephants and other wild animals due to electrocution is a recurring problem in forest fringes where several farmers go for the illegal wired fence to prevent damage to their crops.

Though rules permit energising fences with low voltage to give a mild shock to keep away animals from entering farms, often the farmers resort to installing 230 volt fencing.