An elephant lies motionless in a trench in Tithimathi near Virajpet on Wednesday. It is not clear how and in what circumstances the animal met its end.
Photograph: Karnataka Photo News
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sad :(
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sad indeed. Looks old age took its toll!
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Poor thing. It was lying there without food and died? I can see electric fence in the backdrop. Was it electrocuted?
Elephants are generally not hostile, as they move as herds, they may venture into farm lands. If we see the number of incidents, reported in press, in the Begur area, it is not something we should allow to continue. The human-elephants conflict needs attention. After all, they are helpless animals. If it starved to death (It appears, that was desperately trying to some how come out of that trench– see how its head and trunk is positioned.). Imagine that animal trying for a way out, starving.
In this link given below, Elephant Conservatoin expert A.J.T. Johnsingh’s view is given–
http://www.wayanadresortshill.com/elephants_wayanad.html
Let me copy and paste it here : “According to A.J.T. Johnsingh, Elephant Conservatoin expert, there are two major challenges, with respect to Elephant Conservation.
First, the degradation of elephant habitats in most parts of the elephants’ range. There is a need to ensure the availability of water and restore vegetaion and palatable plants in the Elephant Ranges. If this minimum thing is ensured, human-elephant conflict can be reduced. As of today, nearly 400 people and 150 elephants lose their life every year.
Secondly, the government should explore means to practise reproductive control of elephant populations, as the present elephant population is too large for its degraded habitat and any further increase in the population will not be good either for the elephants or the people. ”
Hope we will be able to save elephants from electrocuted and from farmers’ wrath. I guess Government will follow his advice and start implement reproductive control programme of wild elephants. Hassan is another place farmers- elephant conflict is going on. If we dont listen to A.J.T. Johnsingh’s advice urgently, these poor animals will be forced to raid villages and even reach cities like Mysore. Imagine the kind of chaos and losses. For Tiger projects we have our NGOs and Officials amassing crores. (just because their number is smaller), If we think in caste line, Tiger is the New “Upper Caste guys” and other poor things are “Untouchable”? : )
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+1 @Shemej
>I can see electric fence in the backdrop. Was it electrocuted?
I too think it may have lost balance due to shock and may have met a gory end. The ditch appears big enough to swallow the animal.
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Poor thing, it would have struggled for long :(
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