Villagers in India are living in fear and seeking refuge on rooftops due to a rampaging wild elephant that has claimed the lives of 22 individuals and is still at large.
Residents of the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand are evacuating their homes and seeking safety on elevated areas as a young male elephant with one tusk continues its destructive spree, smashing structures in its path.
The elephant, believed to be in its mating phase called musth, is displaying heightened aggression and intense sexual drive, typical behaviors during this period lasting up to 20 days.
Since the beginning of the year, the elephant’s attacks have resulted in the tragic deaths of over 20 people, including children and an eight-month-old infant.
Indian authorities have mobilized 80 forest officers to corner the elephant and administer tranquilizers to calm it down.
While most villagers are hiding in fear to avoid encounters with the elephant, a small group has joined forces to stop the rampage and prevent further casualties.
Aditya Narayan, a division forest officer, noted the unusual aggression of the elephant during its musth phase, as it has been attacking humans in an unprecedented manner.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare explains that elephants typically do not attack humans unprovoked but may do so when feeling threatened and acting defensively.
The organization highlights the increasing “human-elephant conflict” as habitats overlap, leading to competition for food and space between elephants and humans.
Climate change has exacerbated these conflicts as resources become scarcer, forcing elephants into new territories where they clash with human populations, resulting in life-threatening situations for both parties.
