Wild Elephant Claims Lives of 20 People in India, Including Kids

Authorities in India are on a mission to capture a wild elephant that has been on a deadly rampage, taking the lives of at least 20 individuals and injuring 15 more in Jharkhand's woodlands, according to local villagers and officials on Tuesday.

The solitary elephant began its destructive spree in early January, causing widespread fear and disruption throughout West Singhbhum district for over a week.

Forest officer Aditya Narayan shared with AFP that efforts are being made to track and safeguard against the aggressive elephant responsible for such a tragic loss of life.

Among the deceased are children, seniors, and even a mahout, a professional elephant handler.

Ongoing Search and Evacuation Efforts

Despite causing extensive havoc, the animal has not been seen since Friday last week, even though numerous patrols are actively searching the region.

Teams are scouring dense forests, even utilizing drones across the area and a nearby sanctuary in Odisha to locate the elephant.

The push for safety has led many from over 20 villages to either leave their properties or remain within their homes as night falls, said village head Pratap Chachar.

Assistance to the community is being provided by the authorities, who visit nightly to ensure villagers' needs are met.

Human-Elephant Conflicts Rising

Every year, thousands in India are affected by elephants encroaching on agricultural lands.

The range of Asian elephants, traditionally extensive, has been reduced to a mere fraction of its original size, now limited to around 15%.

The shrinking habitat and growing encounters with humans, exacerbated by rapid urban expansion and forest disturbances like mining, have contributed to increased conflicts.

According to government data, elephants were behind the deaths of 629 individuals across India in the recent 2023-2024 span.

The Pattern of Elephant Aggression

Male rogue elephants, particularly those solitary and heated by 'musth'—a period characterized by heightened aggression due to elevated testosterone—pose the greatest threat to humans.

A former forest official suggested that the aggressive elephant in question might have calmed down from musth and possibly rejoined its herd.

Conservation Concerns

India is the sanctuary for most of the world’s endangered Asian elephants, now dwindling due to ever-decreasing habitats.

The latest assessments put the population of wild elephants in India at 22,446, with experts warning about increasing challenges for this iconic species.