16 elephants die in Haridwar division in 5 yrs

Haridwar: A total of 16 elephants have died in Haridwar forest division over the past five years, forest department data shows. The highest number of deaths was recorded in 2025. Between 2021 and 2026, 13 male and three female elephants -- including three calves -- died.Incidents were reported from the Shyampur and Khanpur ranges. Of the 16 deaths, four were due to electrocution, one elephant was killed in a rail accident and one tusker died in a fight with another. The remaining 10 died of natural causes, officials said.Divisional forest officer Swapnil Anirudh said, "Eight carcasses were found in Shyampur range, four in Khanpur, two in Haridwar range and one each in Rasaibad and Chidiyapur."He said Shyampur and Khanpur ranges, located near Rajaji Tiger Reserve, witness frequent elephant movement. While most deaths were natural, electrocution remains a concern, he added.Police said a case was registered against the electricity department concerned in connection with the death of an elephant in Bahadrabad. UPCL was asked to remove hanging electricity wires from areas frequently used by elephants.Social activist Vibhash Mishra said, "The forest department must take action to address the issue. I appeal to people not to chase elephants in urban areas to record videos as such acts disturb wildlife."