Most of 250 wild elephant deaths in Tamil Nadu caused by poison, allege activists

Chennai: Over 250 wild elephants have succumbed in the last three years in Tamil Nadu. While forest officials term these deaths as natural, some wildlife activists have alleged that most of the deaths occurred due to poison used by some farmers to prevent wild animals from damaging the crops.

According to an activist who conducted a study on elephants in the western region of Tamil Nadu, some farmers leave jackfruit laced with jaggery and poison to prevent crop destruction during the annual migration of elephants through private plantations.

The activist added that many jumbos who consumed these poison-laced fruits died over a period. He further claimed that such poison 'traps' are used by farmers who encroach on forest land to raise crops, said a report in Times of India. 

According to the activist, such illegal crop plantations were found along the stretch from Anaikatti in Coimbatore to Bhavani Sagar in Erode, and passing through Velliyagadu, Karamadai, Mettupalayam, Sirumugai and Lingapuram. But forest officials have reported these deaths as natural, the activist alleged.

However, state wildlife veterinary officials have claimed that all elephant deaths were not the result of poisoning.  

"In some cases when elephants are unable to get nutritious feed, they consume plants like 'seemai karuvelam' and become weak and subsequently die. Some deaths were also caused due to foot and mouth disease and anthrax," the report quoted N Kalaivanan, Wildlife veterinarians saying.

The veterinarian also said that the use of pesticides has also caused the death of some big cats.  Meanwhile, a Tamil Nadu wildlife official has said that a committee has been formed to probe elephant deaths in the state.