Elephant injured in bomb attack at Sitanadi-Udanti tiger reserve

A baby elephant was injured in a bomb attack at the Sitanadi-Udanti Tiger Reserve in Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, on November 7. The elephant, part of the Sikaser herd, sustained injuries to its jaw and leg after contact with a potash bomb.

Dr. Rakesh Verma from Jungle Safari would examine the injured elephant, according to Varun Jain, Deputy Director of the Tiger Reserve, who confirmed the incident, and treatment will be provided based on official instructions.

The attack occurred as 38 to 40 elephants from the Sikaser group were moving through the Satlor beat of the Sitanadi Range. Authorities were alerted after receiving reports of bloodstains. Investigators, an anti-poaching team, and a dog squad traced the blood over six kilometers, recovering a potash bomb fragment.

The explosion caused panic, scattering the herd into smaller groups. Authorities are determining whether the device was intended for elephants or wild boar. Drones helped in the search for and treatment of the injured elephant, according to Deputy Director Jain. On November 10, the team found the injured calf about 300 meters from the herd.

Authorities have launched a three-day rescue operation and announced a Rs 10,000 reward for information on the bomb planter. Police have registered a formal complaint, and the investigation is ongoing.

The Sikasar elephant group, migrating from Odisha to Chhattisgarh, has made the Sitanadi-Udanti Tiger Reserve its home due to its food supply and safety. The Elephant Alert app, which allows locals to share real-time updates on elephant movements, aids in efforts to track the elephants.

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