Residents in India have been living in terror since the start of the new year. A rogue elephant has killed more than two dozen people and also injured an additional 15.
The animal rampaged through several towns and villages in India for more than 10 days. Worried and frightened locals resorted to sleeping in trees and on rooftops to avoid the elephant's wraith. A wild bull elephant, the animal first attacked a 35-year-old man in Bandijhari on New Year's Day. It killed the man during the attack.
Fast forward four days later, the elephant savagely killed five members of a single family in Sowan. The following day it added another five to its victims list. The animal trampled and killed a family of four, according to the Times of India.
Elephant Attacks Villagers
What has made the animal so dangerous is that it mostly attacks at night. The elephant can travel up to 25 miles a day, making it difficult to find and tranquilize the creature in the wake of its destruction. Officials believe the elephant is going through a state of musth. It triggers in male elephants and makes them extremely aggressive and unpredictable.
This is due to the excess testosterone in their bodies. Elephants have been known to roam vast distances during this state. The elephant has attacked at night without warning. Residents have refused to sleep in their homes and resorted to sleeping on rooftops or even in trees. This is to protect them in case the creature attacks during the night.
More than 300 forest and wildlife personnel are searching for the animal. However, the large area and dense woods makes it very difficult to find the elephant. On average, more than 500 people are killed by elephants in India each year. But that number has steadily increased over the past five years. This will likely only add to the death toll.
