(Web Desk) - A wild elephant has unleashed terror across West Singhbhum district in India’s Jharkhand state, killing at least 20 people in the first nine days of January 2026.
Believed to be a lone male that has strayed from its herd, the elephant reportedly carries out attacks under the cover of darkness, leaving villages in fear.
The forest department has launched a large-scale operation to locate and restrain the animal, but it has so far evaded capture. Officials say the elephant killed 13 people within just two days, with the death toll continuing to rise despite ongoing efforts.
The attacks began earlier this month, with the animal targeting rural settlements and, in several cases, killing entire families inside their homes. The latest incident occurred on January 12, when two more people were killed before the elephant moved across the border into neighbouring Odisha.
Forest officials believe the elephant may be in musth — a phase marked by heightened aggression in male elephants caused by hormonal changes. Similar incidents in the past have been linked to this condition, particularly in regions where expanding human settlements overlap with elephant habitats.
Experts also warn that escalating human-elephant conflict, fueled by deforestation and shrinking wildlife corridors, is contributing to the rise in deadly encounters.
“The elephant has proven extremely difficult to track,” a Jharkhand forest department spokesperson said. “It is moving through dense forest cover and frequently crossing state boundaries, complicating efforts to contain it.”
Authorities have urged residents to remain alert and avoid areas where the animal has been sighted. A special task force has been formed to coordinate search operations and enhance public safety.