Karnataka records 11 elephant deaths in 2026, majority due to natural causes
Coastal Talk News | Bengaluru
Karnataka has recorded at least 11 elephant deaths in 2026 up to May 22, with Chamarajanagar accounting for the majority of the reported mortality, according to the information sourced by Coastal Talk News.
Of the 11 deaths, 8 were reported from Chamarajanagar district, while three occurred in Kodagu. The deaths were recorded across the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Division, Cauvery Wildlife Division, Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, Virajpet and Nagarahole Wildlife.
The data shows that 10 of the 11 deaths were classified as natural, while one death was attributed to an unnatural cause. The lone unnatural death was reported from Nagarahole Wildlife in Kodagu on February 7, 2026, involving an adult female elephant. The cause for the death was electrocution. Among the natural deaths, the records include adult elephants as well as calves and a sub-adult. Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve recorded the deaths of a male calf on April 27 and a female calf on January 13. The latest death in the records was that of an adult female elephant in Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife on May 22, 2026. This underline the continuing need for close monitoring of elephant habitats and measures to prevent unnatural elephant deaths, particularly those linked to human infrastructure.
