The one-and-a-half-year-old elephant calf, which was critically injured when it came into contact with an electrified fence in Dasampalayam near Mettupalayam died today.

The said calf was the lone survivor of three elephants that were electrocuted when they entered the farm of Palanisamy in Dasampalayam, 40 kilometres from here. A 30-year-old female elephant and a two-year-old calf died on the spot, while the other calf was rescued and treated before it succumbed today.

Meanwhile, another female elephant was found dead in Karamadai range. The elephant had reportedly consumed a crude bomb planted in an edible fruit, to ward off wild boars.

“With this, four elephants have died within 24 hours. Electricity from a high tension wire was supplied to the fence illegally and three elephants died of electrocution. Elephant deaths have been a recurring phenomenon due to rising man – animal conflict in and around Coimbatore. The forest department is not able to function independently, due to political interference at various levels. Often the offenders go scotfree even after committing grave errors,” said N. Sadiq Ali, Founder of Wildlife Nature Conservation Trust.

Blaming the political interference for such a pass he said that Police and Revenue officials should coordinate with the Forest department to prevent more deaths of wild elephants, as the numbers have risen to an alarming level.

“More forest watchers should also be deployed to prevent elephant deaths,” Sadiq Ali said.