Elephant electrocuted in trap laid to poach wild boar

The death spree of elephants in Odisha continued as another tusker died of electrocution near Mahada village under Binika forest division in Sonepur district on Tuesday.

According to sources, the jumbo died after coming in contact with a live wire fence laid for poaching wild boar.

On being informed about the incident, the Forest Department officials reached the spot and started an investigation into the matter.

The Forest Department officials also confirmed the elephant’s death due to electrocution and seized the electric wire trap which was laid across 1 km, sources informed.

Meanwhile, the locals have raised questions over the efficiency of forest department officials as the poachers are on the prowl in the area. 

Recently, Odisha forest and environment minister Pradip Amat informed the State Assembly that 784 elephants have died in the State in the last 10 years.

While 82 jumbos died in 2012-13, the figure was 86 in 2015-16, 93 in 2018-19 and 86 in 2021-22.

Similarly, 11 wild elephants were killed by poachers during 2022-23.

According to the last census conducted in 2017, there are 1,976 elephants in Odisha.