Bhubaneswar, December 8: As many as 136 elephants died in last one-and-a-half years, with electrocution being the key cause of unnatural death of the animal, the State Assembly was informed on Tuesday.

Diseases, accidents, poaching and electrocution were some of the other reasons for elephant deaths in the State, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia said in a written reply in the Assembly.

According to the statistics furnished by the Minister, 42 elephants were electrocuted to death between 2024-25 and 2025-26 (till September) while poachers killed four elephants. Four elephants were also killed due to train accidents while 31 elephants died due to natural cause such as disease. Four elephants were killed due to human-animal conflict.

However, the Forest and Environment Department could not ascertain any reason behind the death of 20 jumbos.

The Minister informed the House that as many as 92 persons have been arrested in connection with the death of elephants.

“The progress of all the cases registered against the 92 persons are being monitored by the department on a regular basis,” the Minister said.

This was informed by the Forest Minister in a written reply in the State Assembly in response to a query of Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati.