Train accidents grab headlines, but electrocution is the real killer of elephants in Odisha

The recent train accident in Assam that claimed the lives of seven elephants has once again brought the issue of wildlife deaths into sharp public focus. While such tragic train collisions attract immediate attention, official data from Odisha reveals a far more alarming and largely underreported threat to elephants- electrocution.

According to the Annual Odisha Wildlife Report 2025, as many as 842 elephants have died in the state over the past decade. A closer look at the figures exposes a disturbing reality... Out of 155 of these deaths, nearly 20 per cent, were caused by electrocution, whereas 29 elephants (around 3 per cent) died after being hit by trains.

The numbers clearly indicate that while railway accidents are visible and shocking, electrocution has emerged as the biggest silent killer of elephants in Odisha.

Electrocution: A Man-Made Menace in Elephant Corridors

Wildlife experts point out that most electrocution deaths are entirely preventable, as they stem from human negligence and illegal practices rather than natural causes.

Speaking to OTV, a wildlife expert identified multiple reasons responsible for the alarming rise in elephant electrocution deaths across forest fringes and human-dominated landscapes.

Misuse of Solar Fencing

Solar-powered fencing, originally meant to protect crops from wildlife intrusion, is increasingly being misused. In many cases, the voltage is illegally increased or fencing is connected to direct power lines instead of solar units. When elephants come in contact with such live wires, especially during night movement, the result is fatal.

Also Read: Herd of 30 elephants spotted crossing railway track near Turekela in Bolangir; authorities on alert

Illegal Wire Traps by Poachers and Farmers

Another major contributor is the widespread use of illegal wire traps. While poachers use them for hunting, farmers often lay bare electric wires around fields to deter elephants from crop-raiding. These crude traps are usually unmarked and unregulated, turning agricultural areas into deadly zones for wildlife.

Lack of Regular Inspection

As per the expert, there is a serious gap in ground-level inspection. Live electric wires, broken poles and low-hanging power lines often remain unattended for long periods. The absence of routine checks by forest or field officials allows dangerous infrastructure to persist unchecked in elephant habitats.

Poor Coordination Between Departments

A recurring problem highlighted by conservationists is the lack of coordination between the Forest Department and the Energy Department. While elephants die due to power-related hazards, accountability allegedly often gets diluted as departments shift blame instead of acting swiftly to fix unsafe installations.

Inadequate Night Patrolling

Elephants are largely nocturnal movers, especially in human-dominated landscapes. However, regular night patrolling in sensitive zones remains insufficient, allowing illegal electrified fencing and traps to go unnoticed until a tragedy occurs.

Why Train Collisions Are Fewer Than Electrocution Deaths

Unlike electrocution, train-related elephant deaths have declined in Odisha due to speed restrictions, early warning systems, and identified elephant corridors. This contrast further strengthens the argument that policy intervention and enforcement work when implemented seriously.

Electrocution deaths, on the other hand, continue largely because they occur in remote areas, often at night, and involve illegal or semi-legal installations that escape scrutiny.

Read More: Elephant calf found dead in Dhenkanal, electrocution suspected

Steps That Can Curb Electrocution Deaths

Wildlife experts stress that elephant electrocution deaths can be reduced significantly if corrective measures are taken urgently:

- Strict regulation of solar fencing, including mandatory certification and penalties for misuse

- Immediate removal of illegal wire traps with community surveillance support

- Joint inspections by Forest and Energy departments in elephant-prone zones

- Regular patrolling, especially in night, in conflict-prone areas

- Awareness programmes for farmers promoting non-lethal crop protection methods

- Underground cabling or elevated power lines in key elephant corridors

While dramatic train accidents may dominate public discourse, the data tells a sobering story that electrocution is quietly wiping out Odisha’s elephant population. Unless systemic loopholes are addressed and enforcement strengthened, the state risks losing its elephants not to speeding trains, but to neglect, illegal electrification and administrative apathy.