Tusker Killed by Train in Mayurbhanj: Forest Officials Suspended Amid Outrage
Mayurbhanj, November 6, 2025: A tragic incident unfolded late on November 2 when a 30-year-old tusker was fatally struck by the Shalimar Express near the Agria level crossing in the Betnoti range of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
The elephant, part of a herd of 20 that had strayed from neighbouring Jharkhand, was reportedly moving toward Sarbana village in search of food when it became trapped between two railway gates on National Highway 18.
Despite the efforts of local villagers to steer the animal away from the tracks, the speeding train—running behind schedule—collided with the tusker around 11:30 PM. The elephant sustained critical injuries and succumbed shortly after the impact.
In the aftermath, the Forest Department suspended three personnel—Forester Pradeep Dehury and Forest Guards Hrushikesh Behera and Jayanti Patra—for alleged dereliction of duty.
Investigations revealed a lack of communication between the Forest and Railway departments regarding the train’s delay, which may have contributed to the fatal mishap.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage among locals and wildlife conservationists, who have long voiced concerns over the increasing number of elephant deaths along railway corridors in Odisha.
The tragedy has reignited calls for the establishment of dedicated elephant corridors, real-time monitoring systems, and improved coordination between government agencies to prevent such avoidable losses.
As Odisha continues to grapple with the challenge of balancing infrastructure development and wildlife conservation, this latest incident underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms and proactive measures to safeguard the state’s dwindling elephant population.
