Jumbo loss for Sambalpur as live wire deaths climb

Ninth elephant electrocution death in Sambalpur since June last year

- MAYANK BHUSAN PANI @Sambalpur

The death of an 11-year-old female elephant calf in Naktideul range's Sarapali beat has once again laid bare the grim crisis of elephant electrocutions in Sambalpur district.

The animal, a sub-adult female, came in contact with a single-stranded GI wire illegally hooked to a low-tension electric line, barely 150 meters from the home of a local farmer. The accused, arrested soon after, admitted to laying the wire to prevent elephants from entering his paddy field. This act, like many before it, turned deadly.

The incident prompted an immediate response from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi who ordered a high-level probe and promised strict action. A team led by chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and Joint Task Force chief Manoj Nair rushed to the spot.