India: Rogue Elephant Kills 20 People in 9 Days

A rogue elephant has killed 20 people in eastern India within nine days, according to officials. The incidents occurred in the Chaibasa and Kolhan forest areas in Jharkhand state from New Year's Day to January 9th.

Most of the deaths occurred at night when residents were guarding rice in fields and warehouses. One of the victims was a 34-year-old who was attacked near his home, while a 42-year-old was trampled to death while sleeping outside his house. On January 5th, a father and his two sons, ages 6 and 8, were also killed.

Forest authorities report that the elephant is young and agile, frequently changing position, making it difficult to locate. It is possibly in a mating phase, during which male elephants are more aggressive. It is also possible that it has been separated from its herd. A large-scale operation has been launched to locate the elephant.

Elephant attacks are not uncommon in the area, due to the reduction of forest cover and human activity near elephant corridors.