Odisha woman killed in elephant attack near Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary

A woman was killed in an elephant attack on Sunday morning in the Khumkut area under the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha’s Balasore district. The tragic incident occurred when the victim, identified as Bairagi Dehuri of Khumkut village, had gone towards the Khumkut Dam area to graze her goats.

Also Read: Tusker kills man in Odisha’s Angul, second fatal elephant attack in 48 hours

According to local sources, an elephant suddenly attacked her during the outing, leading to her death on the spot. The fatal incident has caused panic and concern among residents living in the forest-adjacent villages of the region.

Upon receiving information, Forest Department officials rushed to the spot and initiated necessary procedures. The body was recovered and later sent to Nilagiri hospital for post-mortem examination.

The incident once again highlights the growing concern over human–elephant conflict in forest fringe areas, particularly in regions close to the wildlife sanctuaries, where villagers frequently venture out for livelihood activities.

No comments were received from local forest officials or the victim’s family in this regard.

Worth mentioning, earlier in another incident, a wild tusker had reportedly trampled a man to death in Angul district early Thursday morning, marking the second fatal elephant attack in the district within two days. The incident had occurred at Guranga village near Badakera under the Angul forest division in the district.

The man was attacked during the early hours when dense fog severely reduced visibility across the area. Poor visibility is believed to have contributed to the encounter, as the man had been moving around the locality when the tusker attacked and trampled him.

The body was recovered from the site, and further procedural formalities were initiated.