136 Elephants Die in Odisha in Last 18 Months

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has recorded 136 elephant deaths in the last 18 months, spanning 2024–25 and April–September 2025, according to Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia.

The figures were presented in the State Assembly on Tuesday in response to a legislative query.

Breaking down the causes, the Minister informed that poaching claimed 4 elephants, while another 4 were killed in retaliation by locals. A worrying 42 elephants died due to electrocution. Additionally, 4 elephants were killed in train accidents, and 31 succumbed to various diseases.

The State also recorded 31 deaths due to natural causes, while 20 cases remain unexplained, pending detailed investigation.

Responding to the crisis, the government has initiated action against offenders, leading to 92 arrests and the filing of multiple cases.