Elephant dead near live wires -With this, in the past two months, seven wild elephants have died in Jalpaiguri

TT, Jalpaiguri, 29.08.20 :  The carcass of a wild elephant was recovered from a farmland in Banarhat, Jalpaiguri district, on Friday.

Binnaguri Wildlife Squad officials suspect electrocution as they found live wires near the spot, said a source. A post-mortem report is awaited.

With this, in the past two months, seven wild elephants have died in Jalpaiguri, mostly of electrocution. One died from infighting.

Residents of Dudumaribusty in Banarhat near the Khunia forest on the fringes of Gorumara National Park and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary noticed the carcass early on Friday and told foresters. They said an elephant herd entered the village on Thursday night and ravaged farmland.

“If electrocution is established, those involved in laying live wires (to electrocute elephants) would be traced and arrested,” a senior forester said.

The forester added that herds of elephants were often found roaming around Malbazar, Nagrakata, Banarhat and Binnaguri, and entered human habitats, damaging crops and hutments. Almost every day, wildlife squads and foresters steer herds back to the forests.