Boudh,22nd July 2025: Eight elephants that entered the Mahanadi River from Athmallik on the 12th of this month and reached the Kularikud island are still stranded there. Among the herd is one tusker and three calves.
On Wednesday morning, the elephants moved toward Marjakud via the Boudh side. Upon seeing the herd in the village area, the local residents became terrified. Marjakud has a high population density, with two wards falling under the Boudh NAC (Notified Area Council).
Prioritizing the safety of the local people, the Forest Department drove the elephants away from the inhabited area on Wednesday. As a result, the herd returned to the river and headed toward Athmallik on Wednesday night. However, on Thursday, reports emerged that the elephants had once again come back and got stuck on the Kularikud island.
There is public concern over why the elephants, instead of returning to their original habitat, have come back to the island. It is believed they are staying on the island due to the abundance of food available there.