In a tragic incident, a tusker was found dead in Gariapali village under the Riamala forest range of Deogarh district, Odisha, after coming into contact with a live electric wire allegedly laid by poachers to trap wild animals.
The incident has prompted forest officials to launch a thorough investigation to apprehend those responsible.
The use of live wires by poachers has been a recurring threat to wildlife in Odisha. In April 2023, an elephant was electrocuted in Subarnapur district after stepping on an electric wire set up by poachers targeting wild boars.
Similarly, in September 2021, a tusker met the same fate in Angul district’s Badagunda Khasada reserve forest due to a live wire trap.
Conservationists have expressed deep concern over the rising number of elephant deaths caused by electrocution in the state. Data indicates that from April 2010 to August 2018, Odisha lost 90 elephants to electrocution, with a significant number attributed to live wire poaching traps.
