GUWAHATI: Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya has stated that 18 elephants in the Kandali PRF (Proposed Reserve Forest) died due to accidental electrocution by lightning. The Minister underlined that the sudden and tragic death of 18 elephants may not be attributed to retaliatory killing by poisoning or electrocution or any deadly disease.
"From the available history, detailed study of the circumstantial evidence at the site, a study of gross and histopathological lesions, laboratory reports nullifying the presence of Anthrax like bacilli and any toxins or its metabolites in the submitted samples and correlation with the available meteorological data that prevailed during that period, in our opinion, the 18 elephants have died due to electrocution by lightning," said Suklabaidya in a release.