At least 20 people have been killed by a wild elephant in eastern India’s Jharkhand state over nine days, as authorities continue efforts to track and capture the animal.
The deaths happened between January 1 and 9 in forest areas of West Singhbhum district, a region long affected by human–elephant conflict linked to shrinking habitats and growing human activity near wildlife corridors.
Officials say this is the first time so many fatalities in the area have been tied to a single elephant. More than 100 forest workers are now involved in a large-scale search operation, with the area placed on high alert to prevent further loss of life.
Most attacks occurred at night, when residents were guarding crops or sleeping outdoors. Local authorities have announced compensation for victims’ families and are urging people to stay indoors after dark.
Forest officials believe the elephant may be in a heightened агgressive phase related to mating behavior and could have strayed from its herd. Their priority is to locate the animal and safely return it to the wild.