An elephant on a deadly rampage has claimed the lives of 22 individuals in Jharkland, a state in eastern India, forcing some residents to seek refuge on their rooftops.
Since early January, the elephant, notable for its single tusk, has been causing havoc across the region’s villages, resulting in over 20 fatalities so far.
The elusive elephant has been moving through forests and villages, primarily attacking humans during the night.
Authorities have initiated an extensive search to track down the elephant, describing the situation as ‘unprecedented.’
“This is an unprecedented situation. It’s the first time such a pattern of fatalities has been linked to a single male elephant in the region,” stated divisional forest officer Kuldeep Meena.
According to Meena, capturing the elephant and safely returning it to the wild is the current priority.
Among the victims is 34-year-old Mangal Singh Hembram, who was attacked near his residence in Bodijari.
Another victim, 62-year-old Urdub Bahoda, was assaulted while guarding his field at night.
On the same evening, 42-year-old Vishnu Sundi fell victim to the elephant’s rampage.
Tragedy continued with the deaths of Kundra Bahoda and his children, Kodama and Samu, aged six and eight, respectively.
Their mother, Pundi, managed to escape with her two-year-old daughter.
In response to these attacks, officials have been using drums to advise people to stay indoors and avoid sleeping outside while the elephant remains at large.
Meena suggested that the elephant might be in its mating season, a period during which male elephants can exhibit increased aggression.
Aditya Narayan, the divisional forest officer of Chaibasa district, revealed that attempts to tranquillize the elephant have been made thrice, but none have succeeded.
“Our team is on high alert, and efforts to tranquillise it will be resumed. Villagers have been strictly advised not to go into the forests and to remain vigilant,” he stated.
Narayan further commented: “Anyone who came in front of it was trampled.
“In one family alone four people were killed. It is unprecedented.
“We have seen elephants in musth in the past, but they’d rarely harm people.”
The conflict between humans and elephants in India is escalating, largely due to deforestation, which has narrowed the elephants’ migratory paths.
In India, encounters with elephants have resulted in over 2,800 human fatalities.