A rogue elephant was electrocuted in an attempt to root out a coconut tree at a coffee plantation belonging to Aichettira M Kuttappa in Koodluru of Chettalli near here on Thursday.
The accident occurred when the elephant came into contact with live electrical wire in an attempt to topple a coconut tree at around 5 am. Forest Department officials had tried to trap this 38 year old elephant in an operation.
However, officials could catch six rogue elephants during the operation. Elephant had pulled the live electrical wire accidentally while trying to root out the coconut tree from the coffee plantation.
This is the first incident of electrocution of elephant in Madikeri Sub Division region this year. A total of 5 elephants were electrocuted in 2008-09. The total number of elephants died in 5 years here was 28.
Assistant Forest Conservator Vijayakumar and Zonal Forest Officer Chinnappa visited the spot. Veterinarian Dr Shrinivas conducted postmortem on elephant’s carcass.
Published 09 July 2009, 18:17 IST