Jharsuguda/Kolabira: With wild elephants increasingly encroaching on human habitats in Odisha, causing destruction to crops and properties, and occasionally resulting in fatalities, an elephant named Raju has emerged as an unlikely guardian for the communities surrounding the Jalibahal forest in Jharsuguda district.
Residents report that Raju intercepts wandering elephant herds that approach their villages, redirecting them back into the forest to minimize harm to homes and agricultural lands. His gentle demeanor has made him a beloved figure in the area, and locals have affectionately named him Raju.
Currently, a herd of six wild elephants is reported to be residing in the Jalibahal forest within the Kolabira range. These elephants often venture into nearby villages after dusk, raiding paddy fields and raising alarms about the safety and livelihoods of the residents. Raju has been instrumental in steering the herd away from populated areas.
After relocating from Kuchinda forest, Raju made his way back to the Jalibahal forest on Monday night. He has also been sighted near Pokhrasalhe and various villages under the Niktimal panchayat. According to locals, Raju was once cared for by a mahout but began to wander freely after being abandoned.
Since then, he has taken on the unusual task of keeping wild elephant herds at bay, residents noted. Encounters between humans and elephants pose a significant risk in the area. In their fear, villagers sometimes try to repel elephants with burning torches, but these efforts can provoke aggressive behavior from the animals, leading to perilous situations.
Sudam Jagadala, the Kolabira forest range officer, stated that Raju exhibits less aggression compared to other elephants and has never harmed anyone. He assured that the Forest Department is closely observing the movements of the wild herd.
