Forest frontline workers saved electrocuted elephant at Bandipur Tiger reserve

A female elephant, which had strayed out of the forest in search of crops, was electrocuted in Karnataka. The female elephant has been released back into the Bandipur National park (also a Tiger Reserve) in Karnataka (south) part of Nilgiri Hills and is being closely monitored.

Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change; and Labour & Employment Tweeted ‘So happy to note that an electrocuted elephant, struggling for life, was saved due to prompt action by the staff of Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The female elephant has been released back into the Reserve and is being closely monitored. Our forest frontline workers are our pride.”

So happy to note that an electrocuted elephant, struggling for life, was saved due to prompt action by the staff of Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The female elephant has been released back into the Reserve and is being closely monitored.

Our forest frontline workers are our pride. pic.twitter.com/dOVhp3smKQ
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) February 17, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Bandipur Tiger Reserve staff for saving an electrocuted elephant and said such compassion among our people is commendable.

In response to a tweet from the Union Cabinet Minister for the Environment, Forests and Climate Change; and Labor and Employment, said Shri Bhupender Yadav, the Prime Minister;

“Happy to see this. Kudos to the staff at Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Such compassion among our people is commendable.”

How many Elephants killed by electrocution across country?

Between 2009 and 2022, more than around 700 elephants have been killed by electrocution across the country, data provided by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change reveals.

Statistics reveal that human-wildlife conflicts have only intensified in recent times. Changes in farming patterns and farm management, irresponsible wildlife tourism, the impacts of global warming, and immigration into forest areas have all played a role.

Kerala, which is one of the few states receiving large amounts under the central government-sponsored Elephant Project, is also witnessing elephant deaths from electrocution. Up to 31 elephants were electrocuted during the period in Kerala with six deaths reported in 2021-22 and 2018-19 each.