18 jumbo deaths in one decade

Another elephant met its end when it came in contact with a live electric cable in Alur recently. With this, the number of elephants which has died due to unnatural circumstances has risen to 18. But, the incident was unfortunate as the elephant which had come to feed on the jack fruit was electrocuted.

Improper method used while installing electric poles caused the death of the pachyderm.

Electric cables

The forest officials cite uneven height of the electric cables for the mishap. Bescom would be made a party when an FIR is recorded, it is said.

The straying jumbos giving sleepless nights to farmers in Alur taluk is well known. With this incident, they fear the number of elephants straying into the fringes of the forests may increase as the dead jumbo was said to have been leading a herd of jumbos since the past 22 days in the region.

The other elephants of the herd tried to wake the dead elephant for a while. It is said that they were watching the forest staff from a distance, when they had visited the spot.

The compensation amount disbursed by the forest department till now has crossed more than half a crore.

From April 1, 2011 to July 2012, Rs 41.29 lakh has been disbursed as compensation. About Rs 35 lakh compensation amount is yet to be disbursed.

Eighteen elephants have breathed its last from 2002 -03 to till date and more than 30 persons have been killed by these wild jumbos. Several others have been injured and have been permanently crippled, according to reports.

The decision on translocation of elephants is in the court. Only after the decision, the forest department can take steps on the matter.

The elephant corridor project in Sakleshpur is at a snail’s pace. Several meetings have been held in this regard and works are still pending.