The surge in wild elephant fatalities has sparked deep concern among wildlife conservators. Manjula Amararathe, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Department (Protected Area Management), revealed that in 2023 alone, the reported death toll reached 470, with 200 attributed to human activities, a distressing trend that includes the loss of tuskers.
Of the fatalities, 83 wild elephants were victims of gunfire: 47 fell to the insidious "Hakka Patas" explosive device, 66 succumbed to electric traps, and an additional four were poisoned.
Amararathe further detailed that 70 wild elephants perished from various illnesses, natural causes, or unfortunate accidents, among them 23 tragically struck by trains.
Notably, on September 27, a tragic event unfolded as eleven wild elephants were fatally struck by trains and shot, marking the highest single-day mortality on record.
