Six Elephants Electrocuted in Chittoor District This Year

Six elephants have died of electrocution in the combined Chittoor district this year, with low-hanging power lines and illegal electric fences posing a serious threat to herds moving through agricultural areas. The deaths have raised concerns over the safety measures in place in areas where humans and elephants share space.

The latest incident near Chakkavaripalle in Irala mandal adds to a series of fatal accidents reported across the district. About two months ago, an elephant was electrocuted in an agricultural field at Papireddigaripalle in Pulicherla mandal. Another died after coming into contact with electric wires allegedly laid by poachers in Peddapanjani mandal. A similar incident was reported earlier near Musalimadugu, close to Palamaner.

The threat persists as elephant herds move through Pakala, Bhakarapet, Chandragiri, Yerravaripalem, Pulicherla, Kalakada, Ramakuppam, Gudupalle and Kuppam. Agricultural fields often become conflict zones as elephants enter farms in search of food, damaging crops, borewell motors and electrical control panels. Farmers sometimes resort to electric fencing to protect their fields, but unauthorised fencing can prove fatal to wildlife. Low-hanging power lines and exposed electrical connections pose additional risks.

Wildlife experts say these deaths could be prevented through better coordination between the forest and electricity departments. They have called for regular inspections along elephant movement routes, repairs to leaning electricity poles and loose wires, and the raising of power lines that hang dangerously close to the ground.

“Farmers need to be informed about the dangers of using live wires to protect their crops. Solar fencing supported by subsidies and protective barriers at locations frequented by elephants can minimise the risks. The electricity department must also remove low-hanging wires and conduct regular inspections to prevent elephant electrocutions,” said Bengaluru-based wildlife expert J.J. Naidu.

Following the Irala incident, the electricity department is learnt to have initiated measures to rectify low-hanging electrical control panels and wires. The forest department is also working to improve food availability within forest areas.

Officials have begun scattering seed balls using drones in the hope that the resulting vegetation will provide additional food for elephants and reduce their movement into agricultural fields.