VISAKHAPATNAM: In a tragic incident, four elephants got electrocuted on the outskirts of Katragadda village in Bhamini mandal in Parvathipuram-Manyam district on the early hours of Friday.
The four were part of a herd of six elephants who came in contact with an unprotected electric transformer. The remaining two elephants strayed in the neighbouring cashew orchards under the Manumakonda forest area.
Based on information from the locals, Parvathipuram-Manyam DFO GRP Prasuna, Srikakulam DFO Nisha Kumari and other forest officials reached the spot and inspected the carcasses of the wild elephants. They have launched the procedure for post-mortem with the help of veterinarians and chief conservator of forest, Visakhapatnam.
The herd of six elephants including two male tuskers entered the Bhamini mandal in Parvathipuram -Manyam district through Vamsadhara River on February 7. The herd has been creating havoc in Bhamini mandal under Seethampeta agency by destroying standard crops like sugarcane, banana, maize, paddy and other horticulture crops. The herd also destroyed solar panels, pump sets, and other machinery that was used for podu cultivation.
The herd entered into Bommika Minnarao's fields in Katragadda revenue limits and destroyed the standing crops. Later, the herd tried to destroy the electric transformer. However, four elephants died on the spot after touching the unprotected electric wires.
It may be recalled that a herd consisting of four elephants have been roaming in Seethampeta agency for the past eight years. The herd has been roaming in Keesara village in Bhamini mandal in Parvathipuram -Manyam district. Another herd consisting of seven elephants has been roaming in Parvathipuram agency for the past seven years.