Elephant Squad Member Dies In Tusker Attack In Odisha’s Keonjhar

Keonjhar: A member of an elephant squad engaged in an operation to drive away a herd was reportedly trampled to death by a wild tusker at a village in Odisha’s Keonjhar district.

As per preliminary information, the incident took place at Jharbeda village under Sadar Forest Range in the district, late on Wednesday.

The deceased was identified as Basanta Mahanta of Gobindapur village. The incident took place during an operation launched by the squad to drive away an elephant herd back into the forest.

Sources said a herd of seven wild elephants had strayed into Jharbeda. The elephants were damaging standing crops and creating panic in the area. Villagers had alerted the Forest Department for assistance.

In response, a team of Forest officials, along with the elephant squad, reached the area to drive the herd back into the forest. During the operation, one of the tuskers attacked Basant.

While the other team members managed to escape, the tusker lifted Basant and slammed him against a tree, killing him on the spot.

Locals have demanded compensation for the family of the deceased.