Elephant attack: Man killed while trying to protect house, crops in Odisha

A disturbing incident has occurred in Barahapasi village under Ukhunda section of Champua forest range in Keonjhar district, where an elderly man Anadi Mahanta lost his life following an attack by a wild tusker, sources said on Sunday.

Also Read: Elephant attacks claim 28 lives in three years in Odisha’s Khordha

According to Forest Department sources, two elephants had strayed into the village late last night. In a bid to protect his home and farmland, Anadi stepped out of his house, along with some other villagers. While guarding his crops behind his house, Anadi attempted to scare away the elephants. However, one of the tuskers suddenly charged at him, leading to his death on the spot.

On being informed, forest personnel reached the location and are assessing the situation. Human-elephant conflict has been on rise in the region, with locals frequently facing threats to life and livelihood due to increasing elephant movement.

No comments were received from the deceased’s family or local police in this regard.

Worth mentioning, earlier in another incident, two persons were trampled to death and another critically injured in an elephant attack near Baghdharia village under Hindol block in Dhenkanal district on July 31.

The deceased had been identified as Karunakar Dehuri and Jhulan Dehuri, who died on the spot. The third victim, Sashi Sahu, had sustained severe injuries, including fractures to both arms, and was undergoing treatment at Hindol hospital.

A rising conflict between humans and elephants in Khordha district of Odisha has resulted in the tragic loss of 28 human lives over the past three years. In the same period, 13 elephants have also died due to various reasons, sources had said on February 12.

Over 50 people have suffered injuries from elephant encounters in these years.