Geospatial analysis of elephant mortalities by electrocution from northern districts landscape of West Bengal, India

Human-induced mortality poses a significant threat to many species worldwide, with Asian elephants in India being notably impacted. In recent years, electrocution-related elephant deaths have increased, particularly in the Northern District Landscape of West Bengal. A major contributor is the proliferation of illegal and hazardous electric fencing near protected forest areas. In many cases, farmers install electrified fences—often unauthorized—to prevent crop damage from elephant incursions. Unfortunately, these measures frequently result in fatal outcomes, escalating tensions and provoking retaliatory actions. This study assesses the spatio-temporal extent of elephant electrocution incidents across a forested region of approximately 12,000 km². A total of 63 elephant deaths were documented using official records from the Forest and Wildlife Directorate. Each location was assessed for temporal factors such as year, month, and time of occurrence. Advanced geospatial techniques—including remote sensing and GIS—were utilized, with kernel density estimation applied to generate a detailed risk map. The analysis reveals critical high-risk zones in Bagdogra, Apalchand, Moraghat, and Dalgaon, while Ramsai, Rajabhatkhawa, Kartika, and Kumargram exhibit lower risk levels. The study identifies key drivers of these fatalities and highlights the pressing need for intervention. The study highlights key contributing factors to electrocution deaths and emphasizes the urgency of targeted interventions. This research aims to support conservation efforts for the endangered Asian elephant and offers valuable insights into mitigating human-elephant conflict. It underscores the importance of collaborative efforts involving forest officials, Gram Panchayat bodies, NGOs, and Joint Forest Management Committees to implement effective preventive measures in identified high-risk areas.