The body of a 40-year-old male elephant was found on Monday near a trench in the Chandaka forest, located on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, Odisha forest officials said.
The elephant — popularly known as Ramu — died of electrocution, they said.
Following a hue and cry over the issue, principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) Susanta Nanda said: “We have received the post-mortem report. The post-mortem report indicates Ramu died of electrocution. Its trunk bore marks of electric shock. Ramu was the iconic elephant of Chandaka sanctuary. It was known for its gentleness. It had never attacked anyone. We are planning to preserve its skeletal remains.”
Nanda said: “There may be two reasons for the death. Ramu tried to eat a banana on the side through which a live electric wire passed. It must have come in touch with the electric wire while attempting to eat the banana. Another reason could be that it must have come in touch with the live wire that the people living near the slums use to kill wild boars. A team has been formed to investigate it. We are expecting to get the report within 24 hours.”
Nanda said: “We will inform the government of the required steps to be taken to protect the elephants.”
According to the state government reports, at least 80 elephants die every year in the state which has lost as many as 935 of these pachyderms between 2011-12 and 2021-22. It had raised serious questions about the state’s elephant conservation plan. The highest number of elephant deaths — 86 — was reported in 2021.
According to the Assembly reports, out of 935 pachyderms killed during the period (2011-12 to 2021-22), 141 elephants died in accidents and 135 died because of electrocution. Similarly, 307 elephants died because of diseases. Poachers killed as many as 48 elephants while 119 died of natural causes. The reasons for the death of another 131 elephants are yet to be ascertained. Besides, out of 741 elephant electrocution deaths reported in the country in 10 years till December 2020, a maximum of 133 were reported from Odisha.
