Elephant in Jharkhand reported to have killed 17 people

Officials say a wild elephant in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, has been linked to 17 deaths across about a dozen attacks; search teams are conducting field operations and have issued public notices while planning to tranquilize and relocate the animal if found.

A series of deadly encounters involving a wild elephant in eastern India has been reported to have started on New Year’s Day. Local officials say the incidents occurred in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand and have been linked to multiple attacks that together have caused 17 deaths. Authorities and wildlife teams are conducting searches and have issued public notices to residents. Key facts: - Local officials report 17 people killed across about a dozen separate attacks in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand. - The animal is believed to be a young bull elephant and the incidents began around New Year’s Day. - Government and independent teams are searching for the animal and officials say teams are camping in the fields while looking for it. - Officials have announced plans to tranquilize and relocate the elephant if it is traced, and public service announcements have been issued to local communities. Summary: Local authorities report a series of fatal incidents attributed to a single wild elephant, and search operations involving government and independent teams are ongoing. Officials have said they plan to tranquilize and relocate the animal if it is found, and public advisories have been issued; the wider causes of rising human-elephant conflict were also noted by the environment ministry. Undetermined at this time.