Two Young Elephants Die From Electric Snares Near Talakona Forest

Two young elephants died from electric snares near Talakona Forest. This is a sad event that shows the danger animals face from human activities.
By Newsroom | Wildlife, India |

TRAGEDY UNFOLDS IN TIRUPATI DISTRICT

Near the Talakona Reserve Forest, two sub-adult elephants, each approximately 12 years old, were discovered dead early Monday. The immediate cause appears to be electrocution from illegal snares. The carcasses were found in the Talakona South Beat of the Bhakarapeta range.

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District Forest Officer V Saibaba indicated that the snares were connected to a 33/11 kV transmission line. Initial assessments suggest these were put in place, allegedly, to safeguard agricultural fields bordering the forest area. This incident casts a grim light on the persistent human-wildlife encounters.

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WIDER CONTEXT OF WILDLIFE STRUGGLE

The death of these two elephants is not an isolated event but mirrors a larger, troubling pattern of wildlife endangerment in the region. Just recently, on a Sunday prior, a roughly six-year-old elephant was found dead in an area adjacent to the Talakona forest, near Pulibonupalle in Yerravaripalem mandal. This earlier incident, which occurred about four days before its discovery, involved an elephant that died after apparently chewing a homemade explosive device.

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The erstwhile Chittoor district, which encompasses areas like the Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary and the Seshachalam forests, has a delicate balance of wildlife. Estimates from a recent synchronized elephant census across South India place the elephant population within the erstwhile Chittoor district between 90 and 110, with a similar number of migratory elephants also present. These figures underscore the significant elephant presence in an area increasingly marked by conflict.

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A RECURRING FATALITY

Instances of elephants dying from electrocution due to human-installed electric fences or wires are not new in India. Reports from various regions highlight this dangerous intersection of agriculture and wildlife survival.

  • In Assam, bodies of two wild elephants were recovered in November 2024 in the West Kamrup Divisional Forest area, with electrocution suspected. In December 2012, two adult elephants met a similar fate in Golaghat district.

  • In Tamil Nadu, three elephants were electrocuted in March 2023 near Marandahalli in Dharmapuri, following contact with an illegal electric fence. Another incident in Coimbatore saw a 25-year-old elephant die from electrocution after reportedly knocking down an electric pole.

  • Further north, in Chhattisgarh, a tusker died of electrocution in December 2022 after coming into contact with an electric cable on a farm.

These repeated occurrences point towards a deep-seated issue of human-wildlife conflict, often exacerbated by efforts to protect crops using methods that pose extreme danger to wildlife. The 'Gajah Mitra' scheme, approved in Assam in July 2025, is one such initiative aimed at addressing human-elephant conflict, suggesting a broader governmental acknowledgement of the escalating problem.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did two young elephants die near Talakona Forest on Monday?
Two elephants, around 12 years old, died from electrocution by illegal snares. These snares were connected to a power line and were likely set up to protect farms.
Q: Where exactly were the elephants found dead?
The elephants were found dead in the Talakona South Beat of the Bhakarapeta range in the Tirupati district.
Q: Is this the first time elephants have died this way in the area?
No, this is not the first time. A younger elephant also died recently in a nearby area after apparently chewing an explosive device.
Q: What is the elephant population in the Tirupati district?
The Tirupati district has between 90 and 110 elephants, with a similar number of migratory elephants also present in the area.
Q: Are there other places in India where elephants have died from electrocution?
Yes, there have been similar sad events in Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh where elephants died after coming into contact with electric fences or wires.