Two wild elephants were found electrocuted under mysterious circumstances in villages under the Nagaragali forest range of Khanapur taluk on Sunday.
Forest officials suspect the animals may have come in contact with live electric wires allegedly laid by farmers frustrated over frequent crop raids. The carcasses were discovered near sugarcane and paddy fields.
According to a forest officer who inspected the spot, some farmers are believed to have drawn illegal connections from Hescom power lines and placed the wires on the ground. “It appears the elephants stepped on the live wires and were electrocuted. The exact cause will be known after investigation,” the officer said.
Wildlife conservationist Giridhar Kulkarni has urged strict action against those responsible. “Unfortunately, such incidents continue despite Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre’s directives to investigate elephant electrocutions, take action against the guilty, and engage with residents to build awareness. Officials showing negligence should face disciplinary measures,” he said.
Kulkarni pointed out that wild elephants had been spotted near forest-bordering villages in Khanapur for nearly ten days, yet neither forest nor Hescom officials intervened. “Standard protocol requires that when elephants are sighted, officials must alert villagers, temporarily cut off the power supply, and take preventive steps. None of this was done. It seems some farmers illegally drew power and caused the electrocution,” he added.
