Postmortem conducted on the carcasses of two Indian bisons, found dead in a forest in Pernem taluka last week, has confirmed that they died due to electric shock, a senior official said here today.
"The postmortem confirmed that they died of electrocution. We have questioned several villagers who have farms around the place where these wild animals were found dead," Range Forest Officer (RFO) Vilas Gawas told PTI.
Both the ungulates were found dead in the forest near Alarn village in Pernem taluka on September 9.
"The two bisons were killed ostensibly to avoid farms being ravaged by them. The forest department has questioned several farmers living in the areas, but has yet to make any arrest," he said.
The investigation by Forest Department said that a 200-metre-long wire was pulled from a nearby electricity pole.
"Both the animals died when they came in contact with the live wire," Gawas said.
The Indian bison are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.
