Lightning suspected of killing 18 elephants in India

An Indian village boy paying respect to one among 18 wild Asiatic elephants found dead in the protected Kondali forest reserve in north eastern Assam state, India. Photo / AP

Lightning is believed to have killed a herd of 18 wild Asiatic elephants in remote northeastern India, a forest official said Friday.

The elephants, including five calves, were found dead during rains in the protected Kondali forest reserve, wildlife official Jayanta Goswami said.

The forest guard reached the remote area Thursday and found 14 elephants dead atop a hill and four at its bottom.

Preliminary reports by veterinarians said the elephants were struck by lightning, but Goswami said autopsies were being done to ascertain the exact cause of death.

When it's a catastrophe, it is a catastrophe for all - both human and animals.

Atleast 18 wild elephants are feared dead after being struck by lightening near Bamuni Hills in Kandali, Nagaon district, Assam.

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— Sudha Ramen IFS 🇮🇳 (@SudhaRamenIFS) May 13, 2021

The reserve is in Assam state's Nagaon district, 150km east of Gauhati, the state capital.

Assam is home to an estimated 6000 or more wild Asiatic elephants which constantly come out of the forests in search of food.

Conservationists have urged the government to prevent encroachment of people and to establish free corridors for the elephants to move between forests safely. In recent years, wild elephants have entered villages, destroyed crops and even killed people.