Representational AI-image
As many as 84 wild jumbos died of human aggression, including poaching and poisoning, between 2019 and Aug 2025, as per forest department’s data.
Forest officials said the suspicious or unnatural deaths of elephants could be caused by hunting, bursting of crackers stuffed in food items or poisoning by locals. Veterinary doctors with the department said elephants biting fruits stuffed with crackers caused most of the deaths. Most of the victims are adult female elephants who lead the herd,” said a veterinarian on condition of anonymity. A veterinarian said urea entering the body in a huge quantity could lead to the death of the animal.
However, in most of the cases, the department is unable to identify and capture the accused. The department has registered cases in each unnatural death and probes are under way. “Biting of crackers causes slow death in elephants as it leaves the elephant with mouth injuries and the animal will not be able to take food for months. It is the most painful and tragic death.