High-Voltage Farm Fence Claims Lives of Two Elephants in Tirupati District

A tragic incident near the forest fringes of Tirupati district has resulted in the death of two Asiatic elephants after they came into contact with an illegally electrified fence around agricultural fields. The incident, which occurred near the Talakona Reserve Forest , has triggered concern among wildlife officials and conservationists over unsafe crop-protection practices in forest-border villages.

Forest authorities said the two elephants, believed to be sub-adults aged around 12 years , had been moving within the forest region for the past few months. On Sunday night, the animals reportedly wandered out of the forest in search of food and entered nearby farmland through the old Saibulapalle route , eventually reaching fields near Bhakarapet .

According to officials, the elephants accidentally touched a live electric fence that had been set up around a farm to protect crops from wild animals such as wild boars. The fence had allegedly been connected illegally to a 33/11 kV power transmission line using aluminium wires , allowing high-voltage electricity to pass through it. The powerful current caused instant electrocution, and both elephants collapsed on the spot.

The carcasses were discovered on Monday morning, following which forest department teams rushed to the location and conducted a preliminary inspection. Tirupati District Forest Officer V. Saibaba said initial findings indicate that electrocution was the primary cause of death.

To determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, the forest department has formed a special inquiry committee headed by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) . The investigation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Project Elephant programme and regulations issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change . Officials said those responsible for installing the illegal electric fence will face strict action under wildlife protection laws.

Authorities also emphasised that drawing electricity directly from power lines to energise fences is illegal and poses a serious threat not only to wildlife but also to people moving through agricultural fields. Forest officials have urged farmers in villages located along forest boundaries to adopt safer and legally approved crop-protection methods and to inform the department immediately if elephant movement is noticed.

The incident highlights the growing challenge of human–elephant conflict in forest-fringe areas, where elephants often stray into farmlands in search of food, sometimes with fatal consequences for both wildlife and people.