Probe into Elephant Deaths by Electrocution in Chakulia, Musabani Continues

WCCB Investigates Electrocution Deaths of Elephants in Jharkhand

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau team conducts a thorough investigation into the electrocution deaths of seven wild elephants.

JAMSHEDPUR -A team from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) arrived in Chakulia and Musabani on Sunday to investigate the recent deaths of seven wild elephants due to electrocution.

The team included Additional Director of WCCB HV Girisha, Wildlife CF PR Naidu, and Elephant Scientist Dr. N Lakshmi Narayan from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

Officials visited Kamarigora, where the elephants were electrocuted, and Purnapani and Machadiha, the locations of the deaths.

The team sought detailed information on the circumstances leading to the electrocution and the activities of the elephants until their death from DFO Mamta Priyadarshini and Ranger Digvijay Singh.

Further investigations were conducted in Upperbandha of Musabani, where five elephants died on the night of 20th November after coming into contact with a high tension wire.

Intelligence officials are also part of the investigation team.

The team plans to conduct an extensive investigation at every point of the incident over the next four to five days before taking necessary action.

Additional Director HV Girisha stated that the team is focused on uncovering the reasons behind these tragic incidents.

On November 1 and 2, two elephants died in Chakulia, and on the night of 20th November, five more were killed in Uparbandha of Musabani after contacting a 33 thousand volt wire.

These incidents have caused significant concern within the forest department, with both the electricity and forest departments facing scrutiny.

No formal case has been registered against any department yet.

This high-level investigation aims to establish accountability and prevent future tragedies involving wildlife.

Jamshedpur East MLA Saryu Roy too had visited the area a couple of days back and had criticized the functioning of the forest department. He had also sought strict action against the persons responsible for the death of the tuskers.