A wild elephant of a 13-member herd was electrocuted at Nallagutta forest of Ramapuram thanda of Ramakuppam mandal, 40 km from Kuppam, in the early hours of Friday.
According to information, some residents of the thanda (an interior tribal hamlet) had placed an electric wire at a forest track intended for wild boars and antelopes.
While the 13-member herd was passing through the track, one of them, a full-grown elephant, came in contact with the live wire.
The herd, which saw its member falling to the ground surrounded the carcass and started trumpeting since early hours.
An official said that power supply was cut off as the wire snapped after the elephant stumbled on it.
Forest officials from Kuppam and Chittoor have rushed to the spot.