Multiple Elephant Attacks Kill Four, Injure Several in India

Recent incidents across India highlight the growing human-elephant conflict resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. In Karnataka's Bandipur Tiger Reserve, a 25-year-old pregnant elephant died after touching an illegally electrified fence set up by villagers to protect crops, prompting legal action and calls for stricter enforcement against illegal power use. In West Bengal, an elephant notorious for seeking food overturned a vehicle when it found no edibles, underscoring risks of traveling through forest paths. Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu's Gudalur area, an elephant attack killed a man and injured another, marking the fourth such human casualty in four months, leading to protests and a commitment from forest officials to increase patrols. In Odisha's Keonjhar district, an elderly man was trampled to death by a herd of elephants, part of a recent spate of attacks that has fueled public anger and compensation efforts. These events reflect the urgent need for enhanced measures to mitigate human-elephant conflicts and protect both communities and wildlife.