Officials in India are on the hunt for an elephant that has killed more than 20 people in a 10-day rampage through the eastern state of Jharkhand.
Since the beginning of January, 22 people have been killed by the animal, including an eight-month-old baby and a wildlife expert called in to contain it. Authorities have announced compensation for their families.
Terrifying footage of an attack shows dozens of locals running for their lives as the animal rushes towards them.
One man can be seen colliding with the elephant, before being sent crashing into the ground.
The majority of attacks have taken place at night, with the elephant entering small villages and tearing through forests.
The region has been put on high alert and residents living in the Chaibasa district have been warned to stay away from forests and not go out at night.
The elephant has been on a rampage, killing 22 people in under 10 days. Picture: X
A man is sent flying after colliding with the large animal. Picture: X
One of the victims, 34-year-old Mangal Singh Hembram, was attacked near his home in Bodijari village while returning from work, officials said.
In a nearby village, 62-year-old Urdub Bahoda was killed while watching over his field, according to his family. Later the same night, Vishnu Sundi, 42, from another neighbouring village was trampled to death while sleeping, according to his son.
In another incident on January 5, Kundra Bahoda and his two children – six-year-old Kodama and eight-year-old Samu – were killed by the elephant.
Forest officials said they believed a young male elephant – who is identifiable by a single tusk – had been separated from his herd and become “extremely violent”.
The animal is believed to be in musth – a mating phase marked by extreme hormonal surges, heightened aggression, and sexual drive.
Terrified locals are filmed running for their lives. Picture: X
Experts say the condition can last up to 20 days, in which case the elephant’s testosterone can increase by 100 times.
Other preliminary assessments suggest the elephant may have strayed from its herd and is urgently trying to locate it.
Indian authorities believe the elephant has been covering almost 30 kilometres a day, resulting in the deployment of more than 100 forest personnel across the region.
Adita Narayan, a divisional forest officer, told local media that three attempts had been made to tranquillise the elephant but all had failed so far.
The animal is believed to be in musth – a mating phase marked by extreme hormonal surges, heightened aggression, and sexual drive. Picture: istock
“In one family alone four people were killed. It is unprecedented,” he said.
“Our team is on high alert, and efforts to tranquillise it will be resumed. Villagers have been strictly advised not to go into the forests and to remain vigilant.”
Human-elephant conflict is on the rise in India, attributed to habitat loss, resource scarcity and increased residential encroachment in designated elephant corridors.
Roughly 10 per cent of the areas that used to be elephant corridors – safe routes for their migration – no longer exist.
They are also dying in higher numbers from train hits, electrocution and poisonings.
Over the last five years, more than 2800 people in India have died from deadly encounters with elephants.