Thursday, January 15, 2026- A single-tusked wild elephant has killed at least 22 people in India’s Jharkhand state as authorities continue an urgent search to locate and stop the animal’s deadly rampage. The elephant, believed to be a young male that separated from its herd, has been moving through villages in the West Singhbhum district, attacking residents primarily at night. Victims have included entire families as well as a forest department official, triggering widespread fear across rural communities.
Forest and wildlife officials have launched a large-scale operation involving more than 100 personnel in an effort to track and tranquillise the elephant. The animal’s erratic movements across dense forest and populated areas have made capture extremely difficult. Residents have been warned to remain indoors after dark, avoid forest routes, and follow emergency advisories as the elephant continues to evade authorities.
The incident has intensified concerns over escalating human-elephant conflict in the region. Officials and conservation experts point to habitat loss, deforestation, and shrinking wildlife corridors as key drivers forcing elephants into closer contact with human settlements. As villagers abandon homes and farmlands out of fear, the tragedy underscores the growing urgency for better wildlife management, early-warning systems, and long-term solutions to prevent further loss of life.
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