Bhubaneswar, February 24: As many as 114 elephants died in last one-and-a-half years, with electrocution being the key cause of unnatural death of the animal across Odisha, the State Assembly was informed on Tuesday.

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

According to the statistics furnished by the Minister, 42 elephants were electrocuted to death in last one-and-a-half years while poachers killed six elephants. Four elephants were also killed due to train accidents while 17 elephants died due to natural cause such as disease. Three elephants were killed due to human-animal conflict.

As many as 29 elephants died due to various diseases. Similarly, 17 elephants were killed due to fight among themselves or by falling from the hill or being swept away in rivers.

The Minister informed the House that as many as 93 persons have been arrested in connection with the death of elephants.