CHAIBASA, India (Diya TV) — A young bull elephant remains at large in eastern India after a deadly 10-day rampage that has left 22 people dead and several others injured, officials said. The rare series of attacks has spread fear across villages near Chaibasa, where authorities continue an around-the-clock search for the animal. The elephant first struck on New Year’s Day. It trampled a couple and their two children as they slept, officials said. Since then, the death toll has climbed steadily. Forest teams have failed to capture or subdue the animal, despite repeated efforts.
“This is an unprecedented situation,” said Kuldeep Meena, the divisional forest officer for the area. “It is the first time such a pattern of fatalities has been linked to a single male elephant in the region.”
Fatal elephant attacks occur in parts of India each year. However, experts say it is highly unusual for one animal to kill so many people in such a short time. Officials believe the elephant has moved across multiple villages, often under the cover of darkness. The animal appears young and agile. It changes location frequently at night, which has made tracking difficult. Search teams use drones, patrol vehicles, and foot teams. Dense forest cover and uneven terrain have slowed their progress.
Residents now live under strict warnings. Authorities have urged people not to go outside after dark. They have also advised against sleeping outdoors, a common practice in rural areas during warm nights. Fear has altered daily life. Many families have moved in groups. Some have taken shelter with relatives in safer areas. Local schools have seen low attendance as parents keep children indoors.
Forest officials say an early assessment suggests the elephant may be in musth, a mating phase seen in adult male elephants. During this period, testosterone levels rise sharply. The change can trigger extreme aggression and unpredictable behavior. Musth typically lasts between 15 and 20 days. Officials say this timeline matches the pattern of recent attacks. If true, the elephant’s behavior could calm once the phase ends.
Asian bull elephants can grow between six and 12 feet tall. They can weigh between three and seven tons. Their size and strength make any confrontation extremely dangerous. Experts also believe the elephant may have strayed from its herd. Separation can increase stress and aggression, especially in younger males.
Authorities say they want to avoid killing the elephant if possible. Their goal remains capture and relocation. If teams succeed, officials plan to return the animal to a forested area where it can rejoin other elephants.
“We will try every option to capture it safely,” Meena said. “Killing is the last resort.”
The operation involves veterinarians trained in tranquilizing large animals. However, sedating an elephant on the move poses major risks. A poorly timed dart could cause the animal to flee into populated areas or collapse in unsafe terrain. Officials say they will only use lethal force if the elephant poses an immediate threat to human life.
