Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri (SP)

Madikeri, Jun 23: In a tragic incident that occurred at Devarapura village near Gonikoppal in the district on the night of Sunday June 21, two cow-elephants, which had ventured out of the forest in search of food, were electrocuted at Changolli Estate owned by Maneyapanda Karyappa.

The elephants, aged about 25 and 15, entered the plantation at around 10 pm that day. As they brushed through a low-tension electric pole, a power cable got snapped and fell on them, killing them on the spot. Electricity department officials visited the spot. As the power went off at around 10 pm and that the cables were snapped at the place, it is thought that the elephants had pushed the pole.

Assistant forest conservator Alexander, range forest officer Monnappa, Gonikoppa circle inspector of police Venkatesh and others came on the scene and conducted inquest. Hundreds of villages rushed to the spot to look at the killed pachyderms. People are holding the forest department responsible for the death of these elephants.