Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Wild Elephant Dies After Contact With Live Fence in Latehar
A group of wild elephants entered a village area in Latehar.
They were moving toward fields where crops were growing.
A villager had placed exposed electric wires around his property to keep elephants away.
One elephant touched the wires and died.
The other elephants became frightened and made loud sounds.
Officials are checking whether any other elephants were hurt.
They are also investigating how electricity reached the fence and who was responsible.
Officials have warned villagers not to use dangerous electric fences.
A wild elephant was electrocuted in Kusi Tola, Jharkhand, after touching a live fence.
The fence was reportedly installed by villager Bifa Oraon to protect his house and crops.
The elephant was part of a herd of about 15 animals entering the area near maize fields.
Forest officials suspect other elephants may have been shocked and injured during the incident.
Officials have begun an investigation, while the carcass undergoes postmortem procedures.
- Who
- A wild elephant from a herd of about 15 animals; the fence was reportedly installed by villager Bifa Oraon.
- What
- The elephant was electrocuted after touching an exposed live electric fence.
- When
- During the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.
- Where
- Kusi Tola of Komar village under Jhabar Panchayat, in the Balumath police station area of Latehar, Jharkhand.
- Why
- The fence was installed to protect a house and crops from elephants that had reportedly been damaging local property and farmland.
Property Protection Concerns
Wildlife Safety and Accountability
Use of Electric Fencing
Property Protection Concerns
The villager reportedly installed the fence to protect his home and crops after elephants had been damaging houses and farmland.
Wildlife Safety and Accountability
Forest officials urged villagers not to electrify fences because the method can kill or injure elephants and create danger in the area.
Responsibility for the Death
Property Protection Concerns
The incident was described as an accidental contact by an elephant approaching the fields at night.
Wildlife Safety and Accountability
Officials are investigating how electricity was supplied to the fence and who was responsible, with possible legal action based on the findings.
Extent of Harm
Property Protection Concerns
The reported death involved one elephant from the herd.
Wildlife Safety and Accountability
Forest officials suspect that other elephants may also have received electric shocks and suffered injuries.
- Location
- Kusi Tola, Komar village, Latehar district, Jharkhand
- Incident timing
- Intervening night of Sunday and Monday
- Elephant herd
- Approximately 15 elephants
- Cause of death
- Contact with an exposed live electric wire
- Fence purpose
- Protecting a villager’s house and crops from elephant intrusions
- Investigation
- Forest officials and Balumath Police are investigating the electricity supply and responsibility
- Postmortem
- The elephant carcass was taken into custody and postmortem procedures were underway