Alipurduar, West Bengal: A middle-aged wild tusker was allegedly electrocuted after coming into contact with an illegally energised fence around a paddy field in Moirardanga, Falakata block, in Alipurduar district on Thursday.

The incident has raised serious concerns among forest officials as it is reportedly the third elephant death in Alipurduar district in the past two months linked to suspected electrocution.

A local resident of Talukertari village discovered the elephant’s carcass in a paddy field behind a cucumber farm and alerted the Forest Department. Forest personnel, including the assistant wildlife warden of Jaldapara National Park, subsequently inspected the site.

Officials recovered bamboo poles and electric wires believed to have been used to create the illegal fence. A burn mark near the elephant’s ear was also observed, providing a possible indication of electrocution. However, the exact cause of death will be established only after the post-mortem examination.

According to forest officials, a herd of six elephants had entered Talukertari from the South Khayerbari forest on Wednesday night. The dead tusker is suspected to have been part of this herd. Its carcass was transported to Khayerbari forest for post-mortem examination.

Forest officials said that despite fines, arrests and legal action, some villagers continue to install illegal electrified fencing to protect crops from elephant raids. Such fences can turn agricultural fields into deadly traps for wildlife, particularly elephants moving through forest-edge landscapes.

The latest death underscores the urgent need for effective and wildlife-safe measures to protect crops while preventing fatal encounters between elephants and local communities. Finding safer methods of crop protection is essential for reducing human-elephant conflict in northern West Bengal.