Overview
- Authorities say the carcasses were found near sugarcane and paddy fields in the Nagargali range of Khanapur taluk, Belagavi district.
- Preliminary findings point to an electrified barrier on farmland, with reports of a solar fence or wires linked to a live power line under investigation.
- Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre directed the Chief Wildlife Warden to submit a report within five days and warned of legal action against those who energized the fence.
- Forest officials reported the dead elephants were a male and a female estimated to be four to five years old, and post-mortems were pending.
- Conservationist Giridhar Kulkarni alleged negligence by forest and HESCOM officials after days of elephant sightings, noting a decade-long pattern of seven regional elephant deaths, including three this year.