Makhna elephant found dead in Hosur forest division, electrocution suspected to be cause of death

District Wildlife Warden K. Karthikeyani said the low-lying electricity cable had been concealed under the water in a lake, which is why it had not been rectified; this summer, the lake had dried, exposing the cable

The Makhna elephant was found dead, electrocuted by a low-lying power line, on the lake on poramboke land near the Noganur Reserve Forest | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A male elephant was killed by electrocution, in a dry lake in Sandhanapalli panchayat, Denkanikottai in Krishnagiri district.

The Makhna elephant was found dead, electrocuted by a low-lying power line, on the lake on poramboke land near the Noganur Reserve Forest. The elephant is suspected to have been killed on Sunday (May 5, 2024) night.

According to preliminary information shared by the district Wildlife Warden K. Karthikeyani, the elephant came into contact with a low-lying electricity line and was electrocuted. A post-mortem will be conducted as per the Elephant Death Audit Framework.

The lake generally has water in the monsoon season, and the low-lying EB line is not visible then. This summer the lake dried up, making the line visible, according to Ms. Karthikeyani. In locations all around this area, all low-lying lines were rectified in coordination with the T.N. Electricity Board, she said.