Khunti: A tusker died on Thursday morning after coming into contact with an electric line in Tetari village, located along the Rania-Sode main road within the jurisdiction of the Rania police station. The carcass of the elephant was discovered in the bushes near the Girls’ Middle School. The incident is reported to have occurred around 5:00 AM. As news of the elephant’s death spread, villagers from the surrounding areas gathered at the scene.
According to local residents, the wild elephant was moving from the direction of the Koel River toward Tetari village when it came into contact with an 11,000-volt live power line that was hanging low. The elephant died on the spot due to electrocution. Villagers immediately alerted forest department officials and the Rania police.
Upon receiving the information, police officers and a team from the forest department arrived at the site and initiated an investigation. Personnel from the electricity department also reached the location. An inquiry is underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the elephant’s death.
It is worth noting that for the past two months, a herd of about a dozen wild elephants has been present in the forests and rural areas of the Rania block. These elephants have been venturing out of the forests into villages, damaging homes and destroying crops in farmers’ fields. The death of this tusker by electrocution has raised serious concerns regarding wildlife safety and the hazardous condition of low-hanging power lines in the region.
