Jumbo problem: Herd of over 150 elephants near Keonjhar border

Keonjhar: Panic has gripped locals while officials of forest department are facing testing times as a herd of nearly 150 elephants from Jharkhand has been spotted close to Keonjhar district.

It is for the first time that the jumbo herd is suspected to have deviated from its route as earlier the animals frequently used to move towards Nilagiri in Balasore district every year.

Besides, the movement of the herd near Keonjhar district has also led to panic among local residents as already a herd of 70 jumbos has been wreaking havoc in Barbil and Champua range in the last two days.

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“We are now worried as the previous elephant herd has already destroyed our standing crops in the last one week. Earlier there were 70 elephants in the herd and another 150 elephants on their way to Keonjhar is certainly a matter of concern particularly for the farmers,” said Bisheswar Jena, a farmer.

Senior officials of Keonjhar district informed that already forest staff from Barbil, Champua ranges and elephant chasing squad have also been pressed into service. "A close vigil is also being kept on the movement of the herd,” said a senior police official.

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