Champua: After a long gap, a herd of 16 elephants strayed into Champua forest range in Keonjhar district from Mayurbhanj Saturday, triggering panic among the local people. The herd was holed up in Katulikana after crossing river Baitarani.
The animals while passing through Rengal Goda, Raruan, Hrudarampur and Bankia have reportedly damaged some houses and fed on paddy and stocked rice. Locals were worried fearing possible mayhem in the area. However, forest officials kept a close watch on the movement of the pachyderms and took steps to ensure that the animals do not enter human habitations.
A tusker had trampled a woman to death at Malidihi Chaudi forest in Sundargarh district Friday. The deceased was identified as Abha Kerketa (52) of Kumarkela village.
PNN