Guwahati, Oct. 25 -- Illegal live-wire fences erected to protect crops and property were linked to 92% of verified elephant electrocution cases in two elephant reserves in Assam, a new study has found, highlighting a major threat to the state's wild elephant population.

The study, published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research, analysed elephant electrocution records from 2014 to 2024 in the Chirang-Ripu and Sonitpur Elephant Reserves. Researchers field-verified 50 recorded cases and found that 46 involved illegal live-wire fencing.

Three cases were caused by contact with sagging electricity distribution lines, while one involved a community-managed solar fence.

The findings point to the widespread use of lethal electrified fen...