Angul, Oct. 27: A 22-year-old tusker was found lying dead yesterday near Para village under Durgapur forest range after coming into contact of live electric wire laid for poaching animals, particularly wild boar.

The forest department officials reached the spot and seized the tusk. One villager, Rushov Behera, was arrested and forwarded to court, while others fled.

“We have arrested one Rushav Behera and are on look out for the other accused. The electricity connection was brought from nearby 11KV line for poaching animals. Such malpractice has caused death of not only animals, but also human beings across the district. There are many such villages where such traps are laid to poach animal. Neither the electricity department nor the energy police station takes any action against them,” said divisional forest officer of Angul forest division S.S. Mishra.

Four days ago, an elephant of 25 years age died in Dhandatopa range under Athmallick forest division. Officials said the death was because of ailment. “Electrocution is ruled out as no electric line passes through that part of forest,” said forest official of Athmallick A.K. Dalei.

Reports said six elephants, including three tuskers and about 100 cattle, died in Satkosia and Angul forest division in the last two years owing to electrocution. It says that even some human beings lost their life after coming into the contact with the wires.

“Blame it on the lack of awareness among rural people and failure of the elephant-tracking team of forest department. Rural people, who lay live wire from 11KV line, put themselves at risk and hardly know about the dangerous fall out of their work. Intensive awareness among the people about the consequences and penalty provisions can help prevent such type of elephant deaths,” said district wild life warden Prasana Behera.