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Coimbatore Elephant Tragedy: Two Wild Giants Die in Separate Incidents

Two wild elephants died in separate incidents across Coimbatore district within a single day. A 25-year-old male tusker was electrocuted after pushing down an electric post near Thondamuthur. Meanwhile, a female elephant succumbed to illness in the Pollachi range despite veterinary intervention. Forest officials are now investigating both cases, particularly focusing on electrical safety near forest areas.

Key Points: Two Wild Elephants Die in Coimbatore Forest District

  • Male tusker electrocuted after pushing down electric post in Kuppepalayam village
  • Female elephant found weak in Pollachi range, died despite veterinary efforts
  • Both incidents occurred within 24 hours in Coimbatore forest division
  • Forest Department investigating electrical safety measures near forest periphery
2 min read

Two wild elephants die in TN's Coimbatore district

Tragic day in Coimbatore as male tusker electrocuted near Thondamuthur and female elephant succumbs to illness in Pollachi range within 24 hours.

"Preliminary assessment indicated that the animal's death was instantaneous due to electrocution - Forest Department officials"

Coimbatore, Oct 23

In two separate incidents within a day, two wild elephants - a male tusker near Thondamuthur and a female elephant in the Pollachi range - died in Coimbatore district, officials from the Forest Department confirmed on Thursday.

In the first incident, a 25-year-old male elephant was electrocuted early Thursday at Kuppepalayam village near Thondamuthur. According to Forest Department sources, the tusker died after pushing down an electric post, causing a live power line to fall on it. The carcass was found in an agricultural field adjoining a public road around 5 a.m. The owner of the farmland noticed the elephant and immediately alerted the forest staff attached to the Boluvampatti range. Upon inspection, the officials found that the electric post, which had been recently installed on the roadside, had collapsed into the field, with one of the live cables trapped beneath the elephant’s body. The location of the incident is about 500 metres from the Boluvampatti Block II reserve forest under the Coimbatore Forest Division. Senior officials, including the District Forest Officer, reached the spot soon after being informed. The electricity supply to the area was disconnected to ensure safety, and arrangements were made to conduct a post-mortem examination on the carcass. Preliminary assessment indicated that the animal’s death was instantaneous due to electrocution.

In another tragic incident, a female elephant, estimated to be around 25 to 30 years old, died within the limits of the Pollachi range under the Anamalai Tiger Reserve on Wednesday. Field staff on routine patrol in the Oomandi forest area of the Paruthiyur beat found the elephant in a weak and ailing condition in the morning hours. Veterinary teams from the Forest Department rushed to the spot and tried to revive the elephant, but it succumbed around 1.30 p.m. A post-mortem was carried out later in the evening, and veterinarians suspected that the animal had died of illness rather than any external injury.

Forest officials said both deaths would be investigated in detail, particularly the electrocution case near Thondamuthur, to determine if there was any lapse in electrical safety measures near the forest periphery.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
As someone from Coimbatore, this is very concerning. The forest department is doing their best, but TANGEDCO needs to ensure proper insulation of power lines near wildlife habitats. Two elephants in one day is too much.
R
Rohit P
Why are electric posts being installed so close to reserve forests? This shows complete lack of planning. Hope the investigation leads to proper accountability and preventive measures.
S
Sarah B
While the electrocution case is clearly human error, I appreciate that the forest staff immediately responded and tried to save the female elephant. Their dedication in remote areas often goes unnoticed.
V
Vikram M
This is so sad. Elephants are part of our cultural heritage. We need better coordination between forest department and electricity board. Solar-powered fences and underground cables should be considered for sensitive areas.
M
Michael C
Respectfully, while infrastructure development is important, we must prioritize wildlife safety. The fact that this happened with a recently installed post suggests basic safety protocols weren't followed. Hope this serves as a wake-up call.

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