Indian forest officials are searching for a single-tusked elephant that has killed 22 people in the eastern state of Jharkhand since early January. The elephant has been rampaging through villages and forests in the West Singhbhum district, with most attacks occurring at night. Authorities believe the young male became separated from its herd and has turned highly aggressive.
Residents in the Chaibasa area have been placed on high alert and warned not to enter forests or leave their homes after dark. According to local forest officials, repeated attempts to tranquillise the animal have failed, despite deploying more than 100 personnel and wildlife experts from neighbouring states. The elephant is reportedly travelling up to 30km a day, making it difficult to track.
The incident highlights the growing human-elephant conflict in India, driven by deforestation, shrinking elephant corridors and expanding human settlements. Conservationists say about 10% of traditional elephant migration routes have disappeared, increasing deadly encounters. Over the past five years, more than 2,800 people have died in elephant-related incidents across India, prompting some states to introduce AI-based early warning systems to protect communities.
