Raipur: Chhattisgarh is witnessing the gloomy wave of deaths of elephants with 2 more wild animals succumbed to death. So far, five elephants have lost their lives in just a week’s time.

According to the sources, an elephant died of electrocution at a village in Dharamjaigarh region of Raigarh district on Tuesday morning. While a pachyderm on Tuesday found dead in marshland in Dhamtari district.

Chhattisgarh police have arrested two persons after the death of an elephant following the case lodged by forest department.

Police said that the incident took place on Tuesday morning, when an elephant came in a contact of live electric wires in a farming field.  Raigarh police have arrested two accused, identified as Bhadoram Rathia and Bal Singh for allegedly extending the live wires since long time in the farming field. The police have lodged case and further investigation is underway.

In another incident, an elephant calf died after stuck in marshland at Madamsilli forest area near Urputti village in Dhamtari district.

As per the information provided by forest officials, an elephant calf found dead on Tuesday. An elephant calf was stuck in the marshland.

An elephant calf was among the herd of 21 elephants, who reached Dhamtari district through the jungles of Gariaband district.

About 15 ago, the herd of elephants including 4-5 elephant calves, were spotted near the Rajadera reservoir in Magarlod region of the district.

The herd of pachyderms reached Gangrel dam in Dhamtari forest zone via North Singpur, South Singapur, Keregaon forest range. And since last week, these elephants were wandering in this area.

Earlier, on June 9 and 10 in Pratappur in Surajpur district, three female elephants including a pregnant elephant were died under mysterious circumstances.

——- Vijay Singh Thakur