High tension wire, a threat to elephants in Orissa

Baripada, Oct 23 (UNI) Threat to pachyderm is not posed by the poachers now, but from the high tension power transmission lines passing through the reserved forests.

At least four elephants were killed in one week in Orissa while coming in contact with high tension wires.

A nearly 9-feet tall bull elephant died in Kudurdhipada reserved forest, under Gudgudia forest range of Karanjia territorial forest division of Mayurbhanj district during the wee hours yesterday, Forest department sources said here today.

The healthy robust bull, came in contact with the high tension electric wires passing through the reserved forest and got electrocuted, sources added.

This is the second such incident in one week. On October 16 three elephants were killed after they came in contact with high voltage electric line inside the Polagada forest under Rairakhol sub-division in Sambalpur district.

The bull was often seen by the villagers rubbing its back against an electric pole. As a result, the pole got bent and the high tension line was lowered and came within the reach of its elongated trunk.

Gudgudia Range Officer Kalakar Mohanty, Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR) Field Director Debabrata Swain and Karanjia Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Prakash Mishra visited the spot.

Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (VAS) of Jashipur confirmed that the bull elephant died of electrocution.

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