Chamarajanagar: In June, six elephants got electrocuted due to snapped power cables in Virajpet, and within 11 days two more jumbos have been victims of illegal electrification of fences in villages bordering Bandipur.
The latest victim is a male tusker, around 35 years, to illegally drawn electricity supply to power the fence belonging to Ravish and Lakshman Gowda at Devalapurahundi on the border of Moleyur range of the Park on Wednesday.
On July 8, a 25-year-old male elephant was found dead in a field after coming in contact with illegal power fence at Bommanahalli, a border village to Kundkere range of Bandipur National Park.
Wildlife biologist Sanjay Gubbi said depending upon the terrain underground cables should be used, as it's the safest. Where underground cabling is not possible, Gubbi suggests use of high quality Aerial Bunch Conductor wire as it provides safety even if it snaps, and it is also highly reliable even in areas with thick vegetation. In addition, use short span poles and restrict the span to less than 35 metres to avoid slag, which will ensure sufficient clearance from the ground. Escoms have to follow the order of the High Court and ensure all sagging electric lines in elephant habitats are managed as per the guidelines of the National Board for Wildlife, he said.
