Power lines kill two-thirds of elephants in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district

Electrocution from low-hanging and poorly maintained power lines has claimed the lives of 32 elephants across Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh over the past eight years, accounting for nearly two-thirds of elephant fatalities in the region. The alarming figure has prompted district administration to take corrective action on the infrastructure posing the greatest risk to the state's wildlife.

Chittoor Collector Sumit Kumar has identified 150 critical locations where power lines hang dangerously low, creating acute hazards for the large animals that frequently traverse the district's forested areas and wildlife corridors. These vulnerable spots have been prioritized for urgent remedial work to insulate cables and raise their height above ground level.

The collector has mandated completion of safety modifications at all 150 sites within one month, bringing together district administration, forest department officials, and electricity distribution authorities to coordinate the effort. The timeline reflects the urgency with which local officials are treating the issue, which has seen elephant deaths escalate as human infrastructure increasingly encroaches on traditional animal habitats.

Electrocution remains one of the leading human-wildlife conflict issues in the region, alongside habitat loss and crop raiding by herds passing through agricultural areas. Wildlife experts have long advocated for animal-proofing electrical infrastructure in elephant corridors, particularly in districts like Chittoor where regular movement of tuskers is documented.