Elderly Man Dies in Tragic Elephant Encounter in Jaithari Town
A herd of three elephants entered a residential area in Jaithari town, Anuppur district, during the late hours of Thursday night. The animals attacked and killed a 75-year-old man who stepped outside his home. Forest officials confirmed the incident occurred around 12:30 am on Friday in ward number 3 of the town.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The victim, identified as Hanslal Rathore, was sleeping in a house located within his field. He reportedly came out after sensing movement from the elephants. One of the elephants grabbed Rathore with its trunk and slammed him forcefully to the ground. This action left him with critical injuries.
Family members quickly transported Rathore to Anuppur district hospital using a private vehicle. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries around 2 am. The elderly man did not follow safety protocols and attempted to shoo the elephants away on his own, according to forest authorities.
Herd's Prolonged Presence in the Region
Local residents reported that this elephant herd has been roaming the Jaithari region for approximately four weeks. Over the past two days, the animals have entered the town at night. They have caused significant damage to crops in fields and backyards.
The elephants continued moving through Jaithari and nearby Laharpur villages until late at night. They fed on standing crops during their movements. Forest officials stated the herd originally came from neighboring Chhattisgarh.
Official Response and Safety Measures
District Forest Officer David Venkatrao of Shahdol provided details about the situation. He explained that the area falls within an elephant movement corridor stretching from Chhattisgarh to Bandhavgarh. Forest department teams are already on high alert in the region.
Venkatrao emphasized that officials are actively alerting and informing locals about proper safety protocols. The forest department has initiated the compensation process for the victim's family. Additional patrolling has been deployed in affected villages as a precautionary measure.
The elephants remain within the Jaithari range currently. They typically move into forest areas during daylight hours and return to village surroundings at night. Authorities have advised residents to avoid going out after dark and to immediately report any elephant sightings to officials.
Forest teams continue monitoring the herd's movements closely to ensure community safety. This tragic incident highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife conflict in regions near elephant corridors.
