Bhubaneswar: A total of 264 elephants have died in Odisha over the past three years, with an equal number of deaths attributed to natural and unnatural causes, the state Assembly was informed.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Padma Lochan Panda, Minister of State for Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, stated that 132 elephants died due to natural causes, while another 132 succumbed to unnatural causes such as electrocution, accidents, and poaching-related incidents.
The Minister further revealed that wildlife casualties in the state extend beyond elephants. During the same period, 4 tigers and 25 leopards have also died. Additionally, as many as 1,426 other wild animals have perished, of which 447 deaths were linked to poaching activities.
The data highlights ongoing concerns over wildlife conservation and the need for stronger measures to curb poaching and prevent unnatural deaths of animals in the state.