The number of elephants being electrocuted had also reduced marginally. As many as 11 jumbos were electrocuted between January and October 2021, and eight died due to electrocution in a given period in 2022. Between January and October this year, seven elephants were electrocuted.
The increased number of jumbos being made captive and sent out is because of the rise in incidents of human-elephant conflicts, say experts. Moreover, as more elephants are being caught from high conflict zones, the elephant camps in the state have already hit maximum capacity.
According to Avinash Krishnan, a wildlife conservationist and director, science and conservation at A Rocha India, the carrying capacity of reserves is a pertinent issue that has been overlooked so far. There is a dearth of empirical study that can anecdotally establish that the reserves have reached their carrying capacity and thus the spillover effect has led to recent conflict and death cases.
The revenue department should be held responsible for these anti-forest developments. Farmers, who have been battered by extreme climate events, will have to bear the consequences
A tusker electrocuted in Kodagu (Virajpet) on Sunday has once again raised concerns regarding the high number of elephant deaths due to electrocution. In two most recent cases of electrocution, an elephant was found electrocuted in Kurubarahundi village and a tusker was electrocuted on July 30 in Virajpet, Kodagu district.