In a tragic discovery on Wednesday morning, a wild elephant was found dead beside an electric fence set up on a leased plot within the Muthanga Forest Range of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

Local cultivators came across the lifeless animal and promptly alerted forest authorities. Residents revealed that the elephant had been frequently sighted in recent days, wandering through farmlands and causing crop damage.

Upon inspection, officials found the tusker’s rear leg entangled in the electric wiring. It is believed that the lessee might have illegally channelled high-voltage current through the fence overnight in an attempt to deter elephant herds from entering the area.

Preliminary assessments by forest personnel indicate that the animal was around 35 years old. However, the precise reason for the elephant’s death will be confirmed only after a detailed autopsy, which has been scheduled for Thursday.

Officials have initiated a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The department is also examining whether any wildlife protection norms or electricity regulations were violated in the process.

The untimely death has sparked concern among conservationists and local villagers alike, bringing renewed attention to the dangers of electrified fences used around forest-adjacent farms.