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Deadly rampage in Jharkhand forests
At least 20 people have died in eastern India after a single wild elephant attacked villages across West Singhbhum district over the past nine days, officials confirmed on Monday.
Timeline of attacks
The fatalities occurred between 1 and 9 January in the Chaibasa and Kolhan forest regions, part of one of Asia's largest Sal forests. Most victims were guarding harvested paddy fields or sleeping outdoors-a common rural practice-when the elephant struck after dark.
A forest worker was among those killed. Authorities have pledged financial compensation for the families of all victims.
Victims and eyewitness accounts
In Bodijari village, 34-year-old Mangal Singh Hembram was attacked near his home while returning from work. Hours later, 62-year-old Urdub Bahoda died in Birsingh Hatu village while protecting his crops. The same night, Vishnu Sundi, 42, was trampled outside his house in a neighboring village, his son told reporters.
On 5 January, Kundra Bahoda and his two children-six-year-old Kodama and eight-year-old Samu-were killed in a single attack. Kundra's wife, Pundi, escaped with their injured two-year-old daughter and discovered the deaths later.
Search and containment efforts
Over 100 forest personnel are scouring the area for the elephant, described as young, agile, and highly mobile, particularly at night. Officials have deployed traditional drum alerts to warn residents and urged people to avoid sleeping outdoors.
"This is unprecedented. We've never seen a single male elephant linked to so many fatalities in this region," said divisional forest officer Kuldeep Meena.
Kuldeep Meena, Divisional Forest Officer
The district has been placed on high alert to prevent further casualties or property damage. The priority is to capture and relocate the animal safely.
Possible causes of aggression
Officials suspect the elephant may be in its mating phase, when male elephants exhibit heightened aggression due to elevated testosterone levels. Such behavior typically subsides within 15 to 20 days, they noted.
Habitat loss and human encroachment on elephant corridors have fueled conflicts in the region for years. The animal may have also strayed from its herd, increasing the urgency to locate and reunite it with other elephants.
