Elephant electrocuted to death in Odisha

An elephant was electrocuted to death after coming in contact with a high tension electric wire in Mayurbhanj's Sansarasposi village in Chandua block.

On Thursday night, the elephant, while moving, accidentally touched the 11kv electric line which resulted in its death.

Villagers have claimed that the electric wire is hanging from a height of just 6 feet from the ground level. They further stated that not just elephants, the wire can come in contact with human beings as well.

The incident comes just over two weeks after seven elephants died after coming in contact with non-rectification of sagging lines and non-cabling of transmission lines in another district in the state.

 

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had ordered a crime branch inquiry into the incident, which was reported from Dhenkanal district.

Data from the environment ministry shows that 655 elephant deaths took place in India from 2009 to 2017. The reasons for the death of tuskers include electrocution, train accidents, poaching, and poisoning.