Forest and Wildlife Department officials arrested N.K. Bhaskaran, 64, of Thottamoola on Thursday in connection with the killing of a tusker at Thottamoola, near Kallur, in the district on Tuesday.
The carcass of the elephant, aged about 28, was found with signs of electrocution near the paddy field of Bhaskaran adjacent to the Muthanga range of forest under the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary on Tuesday morning.
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Bhaskaran confessed during interrogation that he had erected a battery-powered fence around his paddy field during night to ward off wildlife, especially elephants, Assistant Wildlife Warden S. Heeralal told
When the battery he used for the purpose was damaged on Monday night, he connected the fence to an insulated cable attached to a power plug and used for household purposes.
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The animal was electrocuted when it came into contact with the live fence around 1 a.m. on the day, Mr. Heeralal added.
Later, he removed the insulated cable to dupe the officials.
Seized
The officials seized the insulated cable from his house.
The accused was charged under various Sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Kerala Forest Act, 1961.
He will be produced before the First Class Judicial Magistrate Court at Sulthan Bathery.