🐘 August 12 2026

August 12, 2026

The Elephant News Service is provided by Save the Elephants for elephant lovers, scientists and conservationists who want to stay informed on the latest elephant news from reputable media sources worldwide. The stories are presented in no particular order.

Satyanarayan Pattnaik, Times of India (India), August 11, 2026

A herd of four elephants that crossed into Odisha from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh has triggered concern among residents of border villages in Gunupur block of Rayagada district, with the animals reportedly moving around Baridi and Kataguda areas under Jagannathpur panchayat for the past three days. Forest officials suspect the elephants entered Odisha in search of food. The herd is believed to have moved from Bhamini mandal in Andhra Pradeshs Manyam-Parvathipuram district through Palwalasa before crossing into Odisha.

Rashmi Drolia, Times of India (India), August 11, 2026

Human-elephant conflict continued to cast a shadow over parts of Chhattisgarh over the weekend, with a 70-year-old man trampled to death by elephants on Sunday night while asleep inside his house in tribal Jashpur district, while a herd of elephants forced the evacuation of a girls’ hostel in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi (GPM) district. The fatal attack took place in Ghughri Kadamtoli village in the Bagicha forest range. According to forest officials, a herd of elephants strayed from the adjoining forest and entered the village, where they attacked a hut on the forest fringe.

Times of India (India), August 10, 2026

Annappa, 40, an agricultural labourer who sustained grievous injuries in an elephant attack at Yadur village near Ammathi, succumbed to his injuries late on Sunday night. He had been undergoing treatment in a critical condition at the District Hospital in Madikeri. Meanwhile, enraged villagers staged a protest on Monday against the alleged failure of the forest department and the govt to control the escalating human-elephant conflict, which continues to affect villages in the region. They demanded a permanent solution to the recurring problem.

Shivani Azad, Times of India (India), August 11, 2026

To ensure public safety and minimise human-wildlife conflict during the upcoming Ardh Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, forest authorities in Uttarakhand have submitted a proposal to the ministry of forest, environment and climate change to deploy GPS-enabled tracking collars on six wild tuskers. The initiative aims to provide real-time spatial monitoring of elephant herds, enabling frontline forest personnel to intercept animals before they stray into the high-density notified Mela zone, agricultural fields or residential areas.

Newswire (India), August 11, 2026

On the eve of World Elephant Day, the Ministry of Environment has reaffirmed its commitment to a permanent, scientific, and sustainable solution to the human‑elephant conflict, unveiling a series of initiatives aimed at ensuring coexistence between people and wildlife. Under the direct guidance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, three major elephant corridors, Watahira Kanda, Hadapanagala, and Koholankala, have been officially gazetted and opened in Hambantota and Monaragala districts, with preliminary work underway in Anuradhapura.

Antara News (Indonesia), August 11, 2026

Indonesia’s Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has deployed veterinarians to perform a necropsy on a Sumatran elephant found dead at a palm oil plantation in Aceh Tamiang District. Aceh conservation agency chief Ujang Wisnu Barata said the necropsy was being conducted to determine the cause of death of the protected animal. “Veterinarians are conducting the necropsy in the field. We have not received the results, so we cannot determine the cause of death yet,” he said.

Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka), August 11, 2026

A dedicated mobile hospital service for wild elephants is being established by the Department of Wildlife Conservation to provide faster medical treatment to injured and sick elephants in remote areas. The Environment Ministry said the programme is being developed with the necessary institutional, technical and resource support from the Ministry. The initiative is aimed at addressing one of the major challenges faced by wildlife authorities when treating injured wild elephants, particularly those located far from established veterinary facilities.

Asian Elephant News