Overview
- Odisha recorded 171 human deaths from elephant encounters in 2024–25, translating to 17 fatalities per 100 elephants, the highest rate in India.
- On February 10, a tusker killed three women collecting firewood near Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary in Dhenkanal, highlighting the continuing danger.
- As of February 10 this year, officials report 127 additional deaths in 2025–26, on top of 624 fatalities logged over 2019–2024.
- Experts link the escalation to mining, industrial expansion, rail and highway traffic, and the Rengali canal network that blocks traditional routes.
- Hotspots span Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Angul, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh and Deogarh, while 14 identified corridors remain unnotified after NGT orders were stayed, even as the state says it is consulting experts.