Eight elephants died of poisoning in Assam in 2018: Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma

Eight elephants had been killed by poisoning in the State this year, State Environment and Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma informed the Assembly on Thursday while presenting the data on man-elephant conflict.

This was six more than the number of elephants killed in 2016-17, according to the Minister.

Patches of paddy fields drenched with common pesticides claimed 26 jumbos in Sonitpur district in 2002 – but wildlife activists have found a fairly new method of killing the animals by poisoning rice beer or fermented rice for producing liquor.

Many villages in Assam use rice to make liquor, for which the State government wants geographical indication tag. Elephants that raid villages are known to develop a taste for this liquor.

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