Elephant sightings in Dhenkanal and Bhubaneswar spark alarm

Sunday witnessed multiple instances of elephants venturing close to human settlements in separate incidents reported from Dhenkanal and Bhubaneswar.

In the first case, a large elephant herd, with around 45 members, was sighted in the Hindol region of Dhenkanal district. The unprecedented movement of the pachyderm across a daily crossing road caused major disturbances in the area.

Sources informed that the elephants may have drifted into the area in search of food. Additionally, the tuskers present a threat to nearby villages which have stocked freshly harvested paddy, leaving many residents alarmed.

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The herd was recently seen moving from the forest near Paikpurunakot, crossing the Hindol-Narsinghpur main road, and heading towards Kantimili village. A large crowd of onlookers was also present in the distance, stunned by the arrival of the elephants.

Meanwhile, the Forest Department is reportedly monitoring the herd’s activities and has taken stock of the situation.

In another incident, a baby tusker was spotted near the Chandaka jungle boundary adjoining Niladri Vihar in Bhubaneswar yesterday afternoon.

A massive crowd, eager to capture photos and selfies of the young tusker with their mobile cameras, soon amassed. Onlookers expressed their amazement and disbelief upon spotting wildlife so close to Bhubaneswar city.

Though such elephant sightings near the jungle periphery are common, how this particular baby elephant ended up so close to the Niladri Vihar boundary wall remains unclear.

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Till the last report came in, the Forest Department was taking stock of the situation.