Young Elephant Found Dead in Shivamogga Forest Range

A young male elephant around 10 to 12 years old was found dead on Saturday at Ichavadi village in the Shankara Range of the Shivamogga Division.

Investigation

Forest officials suspect the animal died from electrocution after touching a live electric wire set up near a paddy field. Officers visited the site and questioned a local resident named Alimiya as part of their early inquiry. The suspect admitted to putting up a fence connected to a power supply to guard his ripening paddy crop from wild boar. Authorities have registered a case under the Wildlife Protection Act and asked electricity board officials to take action under the Electricity Act, while the carcass will be disposed of following standard rules.

Context

Incidents of wild animals coming into contact with illegal electric fences near agricultural lands often happen as farming areas border forest zones. Wildlife protection laws strictly prohibit using unauthorized electrical setups to deter animals because such methods pose severe risks to endangered species.