Wild Elephant Kills 20 in Jharkhand as Human-Elephant Conflict Escalates

Wild Elephant Kills 20 in Jharkhand as Human-Elephant Conflict Escalates

Jharkhand, India — A wild elephant has killed at least 20 people in nine days in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, officials confirmed, as authorities intensify efforts to locate and safely capture the animal amid a worsening human-elephant conflict.

The spate of fatal attacks occurred between January 1 and 9, 2026, primarily in the Chaibasa and Kolhan forest areas, part of Asia’s largest Sal forests. The elephant has remained elusive despite an extensive manhunt involving more than 100 forest personnel from multiple departments.

“This is an unprecedented situation,” said Divisional Forest Officer Kuldeep Meena, noting that it is unusual for a single tusker to be linked to such a high number of fatalities. Officials said the area has been placed on high alert to prevent further casualties and property damage.

The majority of the attacks have taken place at night, when villagers were guarding paddy and other farm produce — a common rural practice that places people in close proximity to forest edges after sunset. Local leaders have reported that many victims were attacked while walking home, protecting fields, or resting outside their homes.

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Among the victims were forest workers and civilians including men and children. In one tragic case, a father and two of his young children were killed while protecting farmland; his wife and toddler daughter survived with injuries.

Authorities are using traditional drum alerts, patrols and community warnings to urge residents not to venture outside after dark while forest teams track the animal.

Experts believe the elephant may be in musth, a periodic condition in male elephants associated with elevated testosterone and aggressive behaviour, which can last 15–20 days. The animal may also have strayed from its herd, a factor that can increase stress and unpredictable movement.

The deaths underline longstanding tensions between expanding human settlements and elephant habitats in Jharkhand and across India. According to government data, Jharkhand has reported hundreds of fatalities in human-elephant conflicts over the past five years, reflecting broader challenges of wildlife and human coexistence as forests shrink and corridors disappear. (Business Standard)

The elephant’s capture and safe relocation remain the top priorities for state wildlife officials, who are coordinating with neighbouring districts as the hunt continues.

Wild Elephant Kills 20 in Jharkhand as Human-Elephant Conflict Escalates