A tragic incident unfolded near Thondamuthur in Coimbatore district early on Thursday, October 23, 2025, when a wild male elephant succumbed to electrocution. The approximately 25-year-old tusker was found dead in Kuppepalayam village after it seemingly pushed an electric post, causing a powerline to fall and make contact with the animal.
Forest Department officials from the Boluvampatti range were alerted around 5 a.m. by the owner of an agricultural field where the elephant’s carcass was discovered. Upon arrival, staff observed a fallen electric post on the edge of the public road, with a live power cable entangled beneath the deceased elephant.
Authorities revealed that the electric line had been recently installed alongside the public road, situated approximately 500 meters from the Boluvampatti Block II reserve forest, part of the Coimbatore Forest Division. Arrangements are currently underway to conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death and gather further insights.
Another Elephant Death Reported in Pollachi Range
Adding to the somber news, a female wild elephant was found dead within the Pollachi forest range of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve on Wednesday, October 22. Field staff on patrol in the Oomandi forest area, within the Paruthiyur beat, discovered the elephant in an ailing state early that morning.
Despite immediate efforts to revive the distressed animal, it passed away around 1:30 p.m. A post-mortem examination conducted later that evening by veterinarians indicated the female elephant was likely between 25 and 30 years old and is suspected to have died due to natural ailments.