2 elephants die in north Bengal, cause not clear

Two elephants, including a calf, died an unnatural death in Dooars region of rth Bengal on Wednesday, but re are conflicting reports on cause of death.

incident occurred early on Wednesday, which is observed as World Elephant Day in several countries.

Chief Wildlife Warden Ravikant Sinha said two male elephants died in Buxa Tiger Reserve area in Alipurduar district, after coming in contact with an electric pole which was believed to be electrically charged due to rain.

pole was carrying high tension cable.

However, Power Minister Sobhandeb Chattophyay said that case of electrocution was reported from any power line of West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited in area on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"I have inquired from our officials. Neir any power line got snapped in that area r was re any case of tripping which would have immediately occurred h re been any electrocution," he told PTI.

"Our staffers are coordinating with forest department in area to assess possible reason for elephants' death, but re was electrocution," minister said.

Autopsy result of carcasses will reveal reason behind deaths of two elephants, Sinha said.

forest official said that a complaint was lodged against power department at local police station for alleged lapses in maintenance of power line.

However, Chatterjee said that, to his kwledge, a complaint has been lodged against unnamed persons and t power department.

Five elephants have died due to electrocution in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts since mid-June, forest department sources said.

y said that World Elephant Day is observed in various countries on August 12 since 2012 to bring attention to plight of Asian and African elephants.

problems faced by animals include poaching, habitat loss, human-elephant conflict and mistreatment in captivity, sources said. 

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