Bhubaneswar: As many as 114 elephants died in different parts of Odisha during the last 18 months, the state Assembly was informed on Tuesday.
Sharing this information while answering a question, Forest, Environment & Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia said the elephant deaths took place due to various reasons, including electrocution, diseases, poaching and accidents.
Providing details of jumbo deaths that took place between 2024-25 and 2025-26 (up to September), the Minister said that out of the total deaths, 42 elephants died due to electrocution.
Similarly, as many as 29 elephants died because of various diseases during the period, while six jumbos were killed by poachers, and three others died in retaliatory attacks by people. In addition, four elephants were killed in railway accidents.
Official data showed that 17 elephants died due to natural causes during the period, while 13 elephants lost their lives after falling from hills, drowning in rivers and streams, or due to infighting among elephants.
As many as 93 people have been arrested by the authorities in connection with unnatural deaths of elephants in different areas of the state.
