Forest Officer Electrocuted by Suspected Poachers' Trap in Bhadradri Kothagudem, Probe Launched

A 37-year-old forest beat officer was electrocuted and killed after his foot became entangled in an 11-kilovolt live-wire trap allegedly set by poachers in the forests of Telangana’s Bhadradri Kothagudem district. B Naveen, who had been working with the forest department since 2019, was searching for illegal traps when the incident occurred between 9 pm and 10 pm on Tuesday, according to District Forest Officer Sidharth Vikram Singh. Naveen had reportedly gone into the forest after receiving information about poachers using electric wires to catch wild animals.

Earlier on the same day, Naveen had already removed at least six similar traps after receiving a tip-off about poaching activity in the Paloncha division. He returned later after receiving another alert that poachers could potentially be caught in the act if forest personnel reached the location immediately. Naveen then entered the forest with six other personnel to investigate the report. While searching for additional traps, his leg became caught in the live wire, causing him to collapse and die at the scene, the district forest officer said.

The forest department said Naveen is survived by his wife and two young children, aged between one and three years. Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and launched an investigation to identify the people responsible for laying the electrical trap. Forest officials are also working to trace the poachers who allegedly installed the live wire in an attempt to capture wildlife. The incident has highlighted the risks faced by forest personnel while carrying out anti-poaching operations in remote and potentially hazardous areas.

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh Records 50 Human, 45 Tiger Deaths in Wildlife Conflict This Year

Bhadradri Kothagudem has around 10 lakh acres of forest, with forest beat officers expected to patrol large areas on foot to prevent illegal activities, including poaching. Officials said poachers use live wires to kill animals such as wild boar, sambar deer and sloth bears, while other wildlife may also be targeted for commercially valuable body parts. District Forest Officer Singh said the use of live-wire traps is a relatively recent phenomenon in Telangana and that deaths of forest guards caused by such traps remain rare. The investigation into Naveen’s death is continuing.

Also Read: Gujarat to Hire 25 Trackers For Mount Girnar After Lion Sightings