Wild elephant electrocuted in Chittoor district; Pawan Kalyan orders inquiry

An adult male wild elephant was electrocuted after it reportedly brushed against a high-tension power line at a field in Gubbilavaripalli village of Irala mandal in Chittoor district. The incident has sparked fresh concerns over the dangers faced by wild animals near agricultural fields.

The wild jumbo is suspected to have strayed into the fields on Friday night, along with two other elephants. While it was electrocuted, the other two elephants had left the area close to dusk.

Farmers found the carcass on Saturday morning and alerted Forest officials. Preliminary reports indicated marks on the animal’s body consistent with electric shock. A Forest official said that a team of veterinary doctors from Tirupati rushed to the spot and performed the post-mortem, followed by cremation.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, who also heads the Forest Ministry, expressed shock over the incident and ordered a comprehensive inquiry. He directed forest officials to investigate how the electric wires were installed in an area frequented by wild animals and to submit a detailed report.

The Minister said strict action should be taken if the wires were found to have been deliberately laid to harm wildlife. He also warned against the illegal installation of electric fencing along forest boundaries in the name of protecting crops. Mr. Pawan Kalyan further directed the officials to invoke the Wildlife (Protection) Act against those responsible for unauthorised electric fencing in wildlife corridors and forest fringe areas.