Man-Animal conflict: Elephant tramples elderly man to death, destroys property in Sambalpur

An elderly man was trampled to death by a rampaging wild elephant at Khaerpada village under Sambalpur Sadar Forest Range on Saturday night. The deceased has been identified as Chaitanya Bhoi. He was 75.

As per reports, Bhoi was reportedly sleeping in his house at night when the elephant broke down the wall and trampled him to death. He died on the spot.

Informing about the incident, Sambalpur Sadar Forest Ranger, Hari Shankar Nayak said, “An elephant came from the jungle and trampled Chaitanya Bhoi to death at Khaerpara. This elephant has been damaging houses for paddy in two to three sections in the forest range.”

“The jumbo came last night searching for food and damaged the house of Bhoi,” he added.

Asked about the forest department’s efforts to ward off the elephant, the Ranger said forest officials are trying to drive it away from the habitation but they are failing in their efforts.

Earlier this month, a herd of 12 elephants including two tuskers had unleashed a reign of terror at Dharakote, Shergarh, and Sadangipalli areas under the Aska range of South Ghumusar forest division in Ganjam district.

The wild animals had reportedly pulled down some villagers’ houses and devoured the harvested paddy. It was also reported from Sadangipalli village that the herd attacked a cyclist, leaving him seriously injured.