A makhna elephant that dispersed from the Chandaka wildlife sanctuary strayed into the Pathargadia area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on Monday, triggering panic among local residents. The elephant, which is a tusker without tusks, was seen roaming in the area, prompting forest department officials to rush to the spot and monitor its movements.
Officials Assure No Immediate Threat
Chandaka authorities have stated that the elephant is not aggressive and has not attacked anyone. Earlier, the same elephant had ventured close to human habitation but returned to the forest on its own, with forest personnel keeping a close watch on its activities. Binod Acharya, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Chandaka, said, 'Since it is a makhna elephant, it mostly remains isolated and does not mingle with any herd. It is well-built but has no history of aggressive behavior. However, we are continuously monitoring its activities.'
Previous Sightings and Seasonal Patterns
This makhna elephant has been sighted earlier around Sikharchandi, a popular tourist spot in the city. According to Acharya, 'Usually, tuskers keep coming to the Sikharchandi area, and during those times, the makhna elephant avoids coming towards the city. But it has come alone several times.' Forest department officials noted that in April, two errant tuskers had dispersed from the sanctuary, drawn by mangoes growing in orchards near the sanctuary. They also mentioned that tourist activities dip in summer, reducing the likelihood of human-elephant conflict, as visitor presence near Chandaka is almost nil.
Past Incidents and Precautionary Measures
In February, a wild tusker that had wreaked havoc in the city was tranquillized by forest officials. Additionally, tourism near Sikharchandi was suspended for two days in December due to the presence of elephants. The forest department continues to advise caution and urges residents to report any elephant sightings immediately.
