Elderly Man Fatally Attacked by Wild Elephant in Gumla District
A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Friday when a wild elephant trampled an elderly man to death in Puso village, located under the Sisai block of Gumla district in Jharkhand. The victim has been identified as Ravi Mahto, aged 65.
Details of the Fatal Encounter
According to Durga Mahato, the son of the deceased, his father had gone to the Pokhratoli Ekamba roadside at approximately 5 am to answer the call of nature. It was during this routine morning activity that a wild elephant suddenly attacked and killed him. The incident highlights the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in the region.
Forest beat officer Rakesh Mishra provided further context, explaining that the lone tusker had entered the area from the bordering Bhandra block of Lohardaga district on Thursday night. Mishra described the event as "a sudden encounter between a man and a tusker," emphasizing the unpredictable nature of such wildlife interactions.
Compensation and Official Response
In response to the tragedy, forest department officials have taken immediate steps to provide compensation to the bereaved family. Rakesh Mishra stated that an initial payment of Rs 25,000 was made to Durga Mahato at Sadar Hospital, where the body was brought for a post-mortem examination. A team of forest staff visited the incident spot promptly after receiving information about the attack.
Mishra further assured that the remaining compensation amount of Rs 3.75 lakh will be disbursed to the family upon completion of all necessary official formalities. This financial support is part of standard procedures to aid victims of wildlife conflicts in the area.
Historical Context of Elephant Attacks in the Region
This unfortunate event is not an isolated occurrence in Gumla district. Recently, an elephant herd was spotted in the same vicinity, though it later moved towards the Bhandra area of Lohardaga, where forest officials managed to drive them away. The presence of elephants in these regions continues to pose significant risks to local residents.
In 2025 alone, three individuals lost their lives due to elephant attacks in the Sisai and Bharno blocks. Specifically, two persons were killed by an elephant on April 6, 2025, at Chharda village under Sisai block. Additionally, another man was trampled to death by a tusker at Morgaon village under the adjoining Bharno block on November 21 of the same year. These incidents underscore the persistent danger and need for effective wildlife management strategies.
The forest department remains vigilant, but the recurring nature of such attacks calls for enhanced measures to prevent future tragedies and ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife in Jharkhand.
