Elephant electrocuted in Gudiyattam farm

The death of a 14-year-old male elephant, electrocuted on a private farmland at Sainaguda near Gudiyattam in the early hours of Monday, has upped the ante in controlling the pachyderm menace in the area.

Sources revealed that the farmer, who owned the land, after realising that an elephant died in his compound decided to cover up his deed by burying the wild animal before absconding.

A resident near Gudiyattam preferring anonymity said, “The farmer was forced to electrify his fence as he had suffered major loss due to elephants damaging his crops. Though the forest staff use crackers, carbide guns and beat metal drums to chase away the animals, the relief is short lived as they return.”

Speaking about the unnatural death of the animal, Vellore DFO Bhargav Teja said that the culprit is still at large.

“We have forwarded a Rs one crore proposal to the State government to create anti-elephant trenches for 30 kilometres in the forest borders to prevent the intrusion of wild animals into human habitation,” he added. The proposal, which is yet to be sanctioned also includes solar fencing.

However the presence of nearly 14 wild elephants for over a week near TIEL (Tamil Nadu Industrial Explosives) factory at Christianpet near Katpadi, has raised fears among locals who requested the forest department officials to do the needful.

Meanwhile forest department sources wondered why the proposal for solar fences was not sanctioned as the voltage is considerably less and only jolts the animal rather than harming it. “In Monday’s incident, the animal died as the fence’s power was 240 volts,” they added.