Elephant Rampage in Jharkhand Leaves 22 Dead, Forest Department on High Alert

At least 22 people have lost their lives due to the rampage of a lone elephant in Jharkhand’s Chaibasa district, creating fear and tension across the region. According to forest department sources, officials fired tranquiliser darts three times in an attempt to control the animal, but the effort failed. As the situation worsened, the forest department declared an “elephant emergency” in the affected areas.

The elephant is reported to be moving nearly 30 kilometres every day, entering villages in search of food and water. To ensure public safety, more than 100 forest personnel have been deployed to closely track its movement. Forest officials have warned that the elephant is extremely dangerous, especially as it is believed to be in a musth like condition.

Jharkhand is home to around 550 to 600 elephants. In recent years, herds have increasingly entered villages at night, causing heavy damage in districts such as Ramgarh, Bokaro and Hazaribagh. Official data shows that between 2000 and 2025, at least 1,400 people were killed in elephant attacks. The forest department fears that this number may rise further in 2026.

Experts say large scale deforestation and shrinking forest areas have reduced natural habitats, forcing elephants closer to human settlements. To bring the situation under control, strict monitoring and safety measures are being carried out in nearby villages.