Daijiworld Media Network - Coimbatore

Coimbatore, Oct 24: In a tragic incident near Thondamuthur in Coimbatore district, a 25-year-old elephant was found dead on Thursday, having been electrocuted after knocking down a high-voltage electric pole in a farmland.

Forest Department officials said the elephant wandered out of the forest late Wednesday and entered a plantation in Raman Kuttai near Kuppepalayam. Preliminary investigations suggest that the animal toppled a live electric pole installed by the electricity board at the edge of the farmland, coming into contact with a live wire that electrocuted it instantly.

Forest personnel and veterinarians rushed to the site following alerts, and a post-mortem examination confirmed electrocution as the cause of death. Authorities are now investigating whether any lapses in electrical line maintenance contributed to the tragedy.

The incident has sparked concern among residents in Thondamuthur, where human-elephant encounters have become increasingly frequent. Locals reported that elephants often stray into farmlands and residential areas, damaging crops and creating panic.

Just a few days ago, forest authorities had captured and relocated a notorious elephant nicknamed “Rolex”, known for venturing into human settlements. The latest incident underscores the growing challenges of human-wildlife coexistence in the region and the urgent need for safety measures to prevent such accidents.