TV
A young tusker, estimated to be around 8 to 10 years old, was found dead near Talsira in the Bantala forest range under the Angul forest division. The pachyderm is believed to have died after coming in contact with a live electric wire, reportedly installed illegally by a local farmer to protect his mango orchard.
Forest Department Launches Investigation
According to forest officials, the electrified wire was laid around the orchard to prevent crop damage by wild animals. Unfortunately, the juvenile elephant appears to have touched the live wire, resulting in its immediate death due to electric shock.
Upon receiving information about the incident, senior officials from the forest department rushed to the site and have begun a detailed investigation. The man responsible for installing the electric fencing has been detained and is currently being interrogated for further details regarding the setup and power source.
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Rising Concerns Over Human-Wildlife Conflict
The incident has once again highlighted the growing threat of human-animal conflict in forest-adjacent regions like, where elephant movement is frequent due to shrinking habitats and encroachment. The use of illegal electric fencing to safeguard crops has become a dangerous trend, often resulting in the death of protected wildlife.
Forest officials have assured that a post-mortem of the elephant will be conducted, and further legal action will follow based on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
