Electrocution behind 32 of 49 elephant deaths in Andhra’s Chittoor since 2015

The carcass of a wild elephant that was electrocuted in the fields at Gubbalavaripalle village in Irala mandal of Chittoor district on October 24. Electrocution has caused 32 of the 49 elephant deaths recorded in the region since 2015. File | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement District Collector Sumit Kumar on Friday (October 30, 2026) called for coordinated action by the Forest Department and the Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) to prevent the electrocution of elephants in the Chittoor region.At a coordination committee meeting with Forest and APSPDCL officials here, the Collector reviewed a decade-long mortality assessment showing that 32 of the 49 elephant deaths recorded between 2015 and 2026 had been caused by electrocution, accounting for nearly 65% of the total fatalities.The Forest Department’s field survey identified 1,166 vulnerable low-lying electrical line locations across five forest ranges: Kuppam, Palamaner, Punganur, Chittoor East and Chittoor West. “Of these, 484 locations have power lines at a height of six feet or below, potentially bringing them within the reach of elephants. As many as 150 locations have been classified as critical and require immediate attention,” Mr. Kumar said.The Collector said five elephants had died of electrocution in 2026 alone. Three incidents involved illegal electrical activity, including electrified snares intended to trap wild animals and unauthorised power connections to agricultural motors. The other two deaths were linked to structural deficiencies in the electricity network. “The recent death of an elephant at Chukkavaripalli of Chittoor West range on October 24 came under scrutiny for delays in rectifying identified vulnerabilities. Low-hanging electrical wires at the location have been reported several times since 2023,” he said.The Collector said all 150 critical locations would be fixed within a month and the 484 low-lying points within three months. Measures include raising or insulating power lines, fencing transformers, separating agricultural feeders and intensifying inspections to detect illegal connections.“We have also identified 430 open agricultural wells, including 283 uncovered or unguarded ones, posing an additional threat to wildlife,” he said. Published - October 30, 2026 05:35 pm IST