Elephant found dead in sugarcane field due to electrocution in UP's Bijnor

BIJNOR: A 42-year-old male elephant was found dead due to electrocution in Tanda Sahu Wala village, located in the Sahuwala forest range of Bijnor's Badhapur area.
The elephant's body was discovered in a sugarcane field, where a broken electricity pole was also found. The incident came to the fore when villagers ventured into the field for agricultural work.They informed forest and police authorities about the incident.
After receiving the information, the forest team reached the spot and inspected the place where the tusker's carcass was found. Preliminary investigations suggest that the elephant died after coming into contact with a high-tension (HT) power line running above the field. Officials have initiated the process for the elephant's postmortem and are preparing for its burial.
Najibabad divisional forest officer Vandana confirmed the incident and said, "The investigation clearly indicates that the elephant died due to electrocution. Both of its tusks are intact, and we are yet to get a postmortem report."
"We are assessing the height of the power lines passing through the area where the elephant's movement is common. If lines are overhanging, a letter will be written to the authorities concerned to heighten the lines."
Noteworthy, the incident has raised concerns among locals and forest officials, as the electrocution of wildlife, particularly elephants, is becoming an increasingly serious issue. A similar incident occurred earlier in the Badhapur region.
Officials had previously issued instructions to elevate hanging power lines near the forest. Elephants are fond of sugarcane. With sugarcane crops ripening, elephants are frequently venturing into fields.