Seven wild elephants dead in 10 years

Seven wild elephants have died in Belagavi and Uttara Kannada districts in the last decade, wildlife enthusiasts say.

Four were killed between 2015 and 2024. Three were killed in 2025 alone. The reasons have been varied, ranging from neglect of authorities, lack of awareness among farmers and the delay in finding lasting solutions to the on going human—animal conflict.

Giridhar Kulkarni, wildlife conservationist, said that the Forest Department had put in place a series of measures to prevent conflict and the death of wild animals, including elephants, but the protocol was not being followed properly.

According to Mr. Kulkarni, five wild elephants were killed in northern Karnataka in the last decade.

An elephant was electrocuted near Nersa in Khanapur taluk and an elephant calf was hit by speeding train near Nagargali in 2015. Again in 2017, an elephant was hit by a speeding train near Golihalli.

In March 2024, an elephant was electrocuted near Yellapur in Uttara Kannada district and another was electrocuted near Ambikanagar, Kali Tiger Reserve in Uttara Kannada district.

Ishwar Khandre, Forest Minister said the incident had come to his notice and that he had asked senior officers to inquire into it and submit a report. “We have held detailed discussions with Ministers and senior officers about finding a solution to the problem of man-animal conflict. We will not only sensitise officers about preventing it in future, but also work with farmers and forest dwelling communities and residents of forest bordering villages to reduce deaths of animals and humans in such conflicts,” the Minister said.