Odisha lost two elephants each week this year (Bhubaneswar)
Sudarsan Maharana, The New Indian Express
July 22, 2024
Odisha has lost at least 27 elephants in three and half months between
April 1 and July 15.
The death of two pachyderms every week is approximately 40 per cent of the
total deaths reported in the previous financial year. The state had
reported 66 elephant deaths in 2023-24, one of the lowest in the last five
years.
This fresh spike in elephant deaths happened during a period when the state
was in the midst of elections and a change in government.
Latest statistics reveal that this year’s elephant deaths have been
reported from 15 forest and wildlife divisions, with Angul witnessing the
highest death of four jumbos during the period. Athagarh, Balasore
(wildlife), Baripada, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi North, Keonjhar, Sambalpur,
Satkosia (wildlife), Similipal North and Similipal South are the other
divisions that recorded at least two elephant deaths.
Electrocution continued to be a significant concern as it accounted for
nearly 30 per cent of the total deaths - eight out of 27. Two elephants
were killed in accidental electrocution while six died due to deliberate
electrocution during the three-and-halfmonth period. The deliberate
electrocution deaths reported are almost half of the deaths reported in
2023-24 when the number was 13.
Other than electrocution, Odisha lost at least four elephants to road
accidents and two to disease, while six elephants died naturally. In seven
cases, the cause of deaths is still not known. So far, no report of
poaching has been lodged, officially.
The numbers come in the wake of the All Odisha Elephant Census 2024 which
had pegged a rise in the head count of the long ranging animals. The
enumeration put the elephant numbers in the state at 2,098 as against 1,976
in 2017.
Alarming trend
27 elephants have died in the state till mid-July of 2024-25
The elephant deaths were reported from 15 forest and wildlife divisions
Angul witnessed the highest death of four jumbos
Electrocution accounts for nearly 30 per cent of the total deaths
2 jumbos killed in accidental electrocution
Six elephants died due to deliberate electrocution
In seven cases, cause of deaths is still unknown
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2024/Jul/23/odisha-lost-two-elephants-each-week-this-year
Odisha lost two elephants each week this year (Bhubaneswar)
Sudarsan Maharana, The New Indian Express
July 22, 2024
Odisha has lost at least 27 elephants in three and half months between
April 1 and July 15.
The death of two pachyderms every week is approximately 40 per cent of the
total deaths reported in the previous financial year. The state had
reported 66 elephant deaths in 2023-24, one of the lowest in the last five
years.
This fresh spike in elephant deaths happened during a period when the state
was in the midst of elections and a change in government.
Latest statistics reveal that this year’s elephant deaths have been
reported from 15 forest and wildlife divisions, with Angul witnessing the
highest death of four jumbos during the period. Athagarh, Balasore
(wildlife), Baripada, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi North, Keonjhar, Sambalpur,
Satkosia (wildlife), Similipal North and Similipal South are the other
divisions that recorded at least two elephant deaths.
Electrocution continued to be a significant concern as it accounted for
nearly 30 per cent of the total deaths - eight out of 27. Two elephants
were killed in accidental electrocution while six died due to deliberate
electrocution during the three-and-halfmonth period. The deliberate
electrocution deaths reported are almost half of the deaths reported in
2023-24 when the number was 13.
Other than electrocution, Odisha lost at least four elephants to road
accidents and two to disease, while six elephants died naturally. In seven
cases, the cause of deaths is still not known. So far, no report of
poaching has been lodged, officially.
The numbers come in the wake of the All Odisha Elephant Census 2024 which
had pegged a rise in the head count of the long ranging animals. The
enumeration put the elephant numbers in the state at 2,098 as against 1,976
in 2017.
Alarming trend
27 elephants have died in the state till mid-July of 2024-25
The elephant deaths were reported from 15 forest and wildlife divisions
Angul witnessed the highest death of four jumbos
Electrocution accounts for nearly 30 per cent of the total deaths
2 jumbos killed in accidental electrocution
Six elephants died due to deliberate electrocution
In seven cases, cause of deaths is still unknown
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2024/Jul/23/odisha-lost-two-elephants-each-week-this-year