Lone tusker dies of electrocution near Hassan village

HASSAN: A lone tusker, aged about 25 years, died after it came in contact with an 11 kv electric dipole installed on a pole near a BSNL telephone tower near Banavase village in Sakleshpur taluk. It is believed that the elephant had wandered in search of food.

Earlier, several representations had been made to shift the low level dipoles, but the power utility has not acted, leading to the death of the elephants, animal lovers pointed out. They also demanded an investigation into the incident.

The tusker, known as as Hanubalu, which had strayed from Mudigere region in Chikkamagalur, was spotted about 15 days ago near Huradi about 15 days ago. Two days ago, it had injured a youth, Mallikarjun, at Hollahalli village in Alur taluk and was spotted near Navase village on Wednesday night.

On receiving information about the tusker’s death, Forest officials rushed to the spot by which time hundreds of people had gathered there. The police had a tough time in controlling the crowd. The carcass was later shifted for post-mortem examination. A thorough investigation will be conducted, said DFO Saurabh Kumar.