Elephant gets electrocuted, dies in Hindol of Odisha, forest department probes

Hindol: In yet another tragic incident, a sorrowful fate befell an elephant in the Dhenkanal district of Odisha, as reported by reliable sources on a Wednesday morning.

It has been reported that this unfortunate elephant met its end due to electrocution after unintentionally encountering a live electric wire that had been installed to safeguard against wild animals. This unfortunate event unfolded near the Kantakula Canal within the Hindol forest division, as confirmed by credible reports.

Authorities from both the forest department and the electric department in Hindol have swiftly arrived at the scene and have commenced an investigation into the matter.

These distressing incidents add to a mounting toll of elephant fatalities in India, with nearly 1,200 elephants losing their lives in the past decade, including 245 of them in the last three years within the state of Odisha alone, according to a recent survey. The dwindling numbers of these gentle giants, with only 27,000 remaining in the entire country, underscores the grave risk they face.

It is imperative that decision-makers are sensitized to the plight of elephants through awareness programs. These programs should highlight their vital role as climate mitigators and ecosystem engineers, emphasizing the far-reaching consequences of their disappearance from our planet.

(With Inputs From IANS)