Jujumura:The carcass of a male elephant was recovered from an agricultural field in Padiabahal Forest Range of Odisha's Sambalpur district on Friday. The pachyderm, estimated to have been between 12 and 14 years old, was found dead in a forest Chamunda Beat of the Chamunda Section of the range. 

Solar fencing wire was found wrapped around the elephant’s body, suggesting that the animal may have come into contact with an electrified fence.

Following the report, Padiabahal Range Officer Sunil Khilari, along with other forest officials, visited the site and launched an investigation. In view of the circumstances, the Forest Department has decided to conduct a post-mortem examination in the presence of senior officials. The examination is expected to help determine the cause of death and establish whether electrocution was involved.

Solar fencing in fringe areas under scanner

Forest officials said the exact circumstances leading to the elephant’s death would be known only after the post-mortem report and completion of the departmental investigation. 

The incident has once again brought into focus the potential threat posed by improperly installed or poorly maintained solar fencing systems to wildlife, particularly elephants, whose movement through forest-fringe areas often brings them into contact with agricultural fields.