The status of “National Heritage Animal” to elephants has done little to save them, and at least 427 jumbos have perished in the last seven years in Odisha. Though the state claims it has taken steps to protect the animal, experts say industrialisation and urbanisation are the main reasons for elephant deaths Elephants are continuously barging into human habitations, triggering a conflict. At least 23 people and 26 elephants have died in the ongoing human-animal conflict till September, forest department officials told IANS. A majority of elephants died unnatural deaths because of poaching, poisoning and deliberate electrocution. According to the 2012 elephant census, its population increased to 1,930 from 1,886 in 2010, despite the death of 149 elephants mostly due to poaching and electrocution.

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