Elephant Electrocuted in Illegal Fence Incident

On October 29, 2025, a male wild elephant, estimated to be around 15 years old, was found dead in an elephant-proof trench (EPT) between a farm and the Odanthurai reserve forest in Mettupalayam, Coimbatore district. The elephant had come into contact with an illegally powered electric fence erected around the farm, leading to its electrocution.

This incident marks the second elephant death by electrocution in the Coimbatore Forest Division within a week. The farm owner, Thirumalairaj, informed the Forest Department about the dead elephant around 11:30 PM on October 28, 2025.

A team from the Mettupalayam range, led by the Forest Range Officer, rushed to the spot and found the elephant's carcass tangled in the wires of the hanging electric fence. Veterinarians who performed the post-mortem on October 29, 2025, confirmed that the elephant had suffered electric shock, with burn marks visible on its skin.

According to the Forest Department, the battery of the solar-powered fence was dry, and the energizer was not functioning when the fence was inspected a month ago. Authorities suspect the fence was illegally connected to an AC power source, leading to the elephant's electrocution. The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited is investigating the incident.

The Forest Department has registered a case against the farm owner for the elephant's death. Meanwhile, the owner has been admitted to a private hospital due to unspecified ailments.