Digboi: The death of a full-grown female wild elephant in a paddy field near human habitation in Assam’s Tinsukia district has prompted the Doomdooma Forest Division to launch an investigation.
The elephant carcass was found on Tuesday morning at Balijan village under the Dwarmara Reserve Forest after local residents informed wildlife activists and forest officials.
The animal was found lying in a paddy field close to residential areas.
Villagers suspected that the elephant had died on Monday, but the incident was noticed only the next morning.
A minor resident of the village alleged that the elephant died after coming in contact with live electric wires. Forest officials, however, said the exact cause of death would be confirmed only after a scientific examination.
Wildlife activist Devajit Moran said the statement of the minor witness should be considered during the investigation. He called for a detailed inquiry to determine whether the death was caused by illegal electrocution or any other human-related factor.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Doomdooma Forest Division Puspadhar Borgohain said veterinary experts and forest personnel were sent to the site for post-mortem examination and evidence collection.
“It is too early to comment on the exact cause of death. The reason can only be ascertained after the post-mortem examination and the findings of the investigation,” Borgohain told North East Now.
Sources said the incident has also been brought to the attention of Assam’s Forest Minister.
The latest elephant death comes about three months after another incident under the same forest division. In April, a minor elephant died a day after receiving treatment at a veterinary medical camp.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of elephants moving into agricultural fields and human settlements near the Upper Dehing Reserve Forest.
Conservationists said habitat loss, increasing human activity and the risk of illegal electric fencing continue to pose challenges for wildlife protection and called for stronger monitoring and measures to reduce human-elephant conflict in Assam.