An elephant, suspected to be a young bull, went on a series of deadly attacks in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, India, starting on New Year’s Day. The elephant has claimed the lives of at least 17 victims, including members of the same family, across multiple incidents.

Among the casualties are a wife, husband, and their two children who were all killed in a single attack. The elephant also brutally decapitated a man during one of its assaults.

Local reports from the Times of India and The Hindu detailed the tragic events, including an incident where the elephant separated a man’s head from his body. Most recently, a woman succumbed to her injuries inflicted by the elephant in a local hospital.

The rampage peaked on January 6 when the elephant killed seven individuals in Babadia and Sialjoda villages, with four victims belonging to the same family.

Villagers are now living in fear, reluctant to venture outside their homes. Despite extensive search efforts involving various agencies, including wildlife personnel, the rogue elephant remains at large. Officials are determined to tranquilize and relocate the animal once it is located to prevent further harm.

The elephant has been striking mostly at night, infiltrating local communities under the cover of darkness. Public service announcements have been issued to educate residents on how to respond in case of an encounter with an elephant, advising them to contact local authorities for assistance.

Human-elephant conflicts, such as these attacks, are escalating due to habitat loss and human encroachment, as highlighted by India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. The animals are increasingly being driven into human settlements, leading to these tragic confrontations.