Overview
- After a 48-hour lull, new attacks on Friday raised the toll to about 22, including multiple deaths near the Jharkhand–Odisha border.
- A specialist from Bankura, West Bengal, who was injured while trying to drive the elephant away, died during treatment, officials said.
- Forest and police teams have deployed thermal and standard drones, brought in expert units including Vantara, and plan to tranquilise and relocate the animal once located.
- Search operations are hindered by the elephant’s night-time raids, rapid movements, dense terrain, poor road access, and reported security concerns in deeper forest areas.
- Authorities have issued public alerts, stepped up night patrols, and distributed torches and firecrackers as officials acknowledge uncertainty over whether a single tusker or more are involved.