Herd of 30 elephants stuck mid-river in Keonjhar
A herd of around 30 elephants was stranded on a river island in the Baitarani River in Keonjhar district, triggering concern among locals and forest officials. The incident occurred near Dharia village under Khireitangiri Section-3 of the Patna Forest Range.
According to forest department sources, the herd was moving from the Patna Range area towards the Karanjia Range when it attempted to cross the river late Friday night. However, the elephants got stuck on a small island in the middle of the river and have remained there since.
Officials suspect that the presence of large crowds on both sides of the river discouraged the elephants from moving further, forcing them to stay on the island for safety.
Residents have been gathering near the riverbanks to witness the rare sight, prompting forest authorities to issue an appeal to the public to maintain distance and avoid disturbing the herd.
Teams from the Forest and Wildlife Department are continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts to ensure the elephants can cross safely when conditions permit.
Officials have also deployed forest guards in the area to control public movement and prevent any untoward incidents. The department has assured that all necessary precautions are being taken to safeguard both the elephants and the villagers living nearby.
The incident has once again highlighted the challenges of human-elephant conflict and habitat disruption in Odisha’s forested regions, where elephants frequently migrate in search of food and water.
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