50 elephants electrocuted in four years in Karnataka

Bengaluru: As many as 50 elephants have died of electrocution in the last four years with the Madikeri division seeing the highest number of electrocution deaths (8), while nearly 12 of them were recorded within the tiger reserves, highlighting the need to prevent conflict situations.

The number of elephants in Karnataka increased from 6,049 in 2017 to 6,395 by the beginning of 2023.

While the state has given itself credit for its conservation efforts, the rising number of deaths, at a time when habitats are getting destroyed due to proliferation of 'development' projects, has prompted activists to raise concerns.

Nagaraj, a resident of Padavinangady in Mangaluru, sought district-wise details of elephants killed due to electrocution between 2021 and 2024.

In response, the department provided division-wise details, including electrocutions in protected areas.

Nearly 20 deaths have occurred in areas where wildlife is supposed to enjoy high levels of protection - Nagarahole tiger reserve (5), Bandipur tiger reserve (4), BRT tiger reserve (3), Shivamogga wildlife division (3), Cauvery wildlife sanctuary (3) and Bannerghatta national park (1).

Electrocutions are usually attributed to the desperate act of farmers who connect their farm fences to high-voltage overhead power cables to keep elephants and wild boars from damaging their crops.

As per the data from the department, elephants accounted for 20,690 incidents of conflict in 2024-25 (till January 2). Wild boars, which come second, accounted for 5,932 incidents.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Project Elephant) Manoj Rajan acknowledged the challenges faced by the department. "We lost 12 elephants to electrocution this year. These were due to both illegal fencing and sagging lines," he said.

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre had written to the officials earlier on December 9 seeking a comprehensive report on the deaths caused by live wires. "The issue will be taken up at the government level to explore solutions like underground power lines," sources said.