Karnataka - Bangalore   

Elephant electrocuted

— Photo: BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

TRAGEDY: The elephant which was electrocuted near Bannergatta in Bangalore on Tuesday.

BANGALORE: A 20-year-old male elephant was electrocuted as it came in contact with a live wire near a private farm in Bhootanahalli, near Bannerghatta National Park.

The elephant and two other elephants were on their way towards the forest on Monday night when it came in contact with the live wire that was sagging near a tank bund. The elephant died on the spot.

Forest personnel on beat saw the carcass of the elephant on Tuesday morning. They conducted post-mortem and later, set the carcass on fire as per norms.

Death of elephants because of electrocution has been a concern for the Forest Department, more so for the Bannerghatta National Park — a habitat for pachyderms. The latest is the third incident in the last three years. An elephant died near Anekal in 2005, while a male elephant died near Taralu village in 2007.

A Forest Department official said letters were written to Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd. in 2007 indicating the areas in Anekal taluk where the electric lines were sagging.

“We had asked BESCOM to correct the lines as they were likely to affect the movement of elephants. Despite intimation, BESCOM authorities have not taken adequate action to straighten the lines,” said the officer, who was not willing to be quoted.

The Forest Department is contemplating action against BESCOM officials.

A senior official from Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. said they maintain a minimum vertical clearance as prescribed under the Karnataka Electricity Act for electricity lines running across forest. Sagging will be not more than 0.5 meters, he said.

The official added that elephants are sensitive and cannot withstand even a small electricity shock.

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