Rogue Elephant Kills 20 in Jharkhand Over 10 Days

A rogue male elephant has killed at least 20 people in eastern India's Jharkhand state over a 10-day period, prompting authorities to launch an extensive search to capture the animal before it strikes again.

The attacks began on January 1 in the West Singhbhum district, centered around the town of Chaibasa, and continued through January 10. The young bull, identifiable by its single tusk, trampled victims indiscriminately, primarily at night when villagers were tending fields or sleeping in their homes. Among the dead were four children, including an eight-month-old infant, as well as elderly residents and a family of four in Babaria village, where a couple and their two children were crushed as they slept. An animal handler dispatched to subdue the elephant also perished during the effort. Most fatalities occurred between January 1 and 9, with no reported incidents in the four days since the last sighting.

Officials believe the elephant's aggression stems from musth, a hormonal condition in male elephants that elevates testosterone levels, leading to heightened restlessness and violence. The phase, which can last up to 20 days, may explain the animal's erratic movements across...