Chennai: About 1501 elephants died due to various reasons in Tamil Nadu, says a shocking study report of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has started an effort to scientifically study and record all incidents related to the death of elephants. As a result of this, a compilation of reports on deaths of elephants since 2010 has now been published in the form of statistics.
The report tells about the months in which elephant deaths are highest and the cause of increasing elephant death. According to this, 1501 elephants have died in 12 years since 2010.
Of these, 77 were electrocuted, while 13 elephants were poached in various ways, 11 were killed by gunshots, 8 elephants died in train accidents and 4 elephants died in road accidents.
Though poaching elephant with guns has decreased, elephants are killed in a various other ways. Elephants are also killed by a chemical that is mixed with corn in the fields which is used to kill peacocks. Similarly, elephants are also killed by using small explosive devices planted to drive off wild boars, says the study. Another major enemy is the electric fence.
In Coimbatore, elephants died after eating plastic waste in Tadagam, Madhukkarai, Marutvamala, Sirumukhai and Valpara. The death of elephants eating plastic waste happens in a slow pace.
Elephants are the most important animals in the forest that require a lot of space and food. In areas including Tamil Nadu, its presence is a protective factor for the forests. Despite various conservation measures taken by the central and state governments, the death of elephant is increasing.
The Elephant Death Audit Framework was introduced to implement a more detailed and transparent process for recording and monitoring elephant deaths in the state. It prescribes a systematic and standardized protocol for conducting postmortems to determine the causes of death of elephants.
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