Keonjhar: A 15-year-old elephant was injured after being hit by a pick-up vehicle near Badapasi village under Naranpur section of Keonjhar sadar range in the early hours of Friday.The incident took place around 3 am when a herd of six elephants was crossing NH-20 when the speeding vehicle allegedly struck the male elephant. While forest officials described the injury as minor, local sources claimed the animal sustained a significant wound on its back. The forest department has initiated treatment and is closely monitoring its condition.Upon receiving information, forest personnel rushed to the spot and found damaged parts of the pick-up vehicle scattered on the highway. Due to the impact, the elephant was initially unable to walk properly.Around 4 am, a team comprising veterinarians, biologists and the assistant conservator of forests, led by divisional forest officer Dhanraj HD, reached the site and examined the animal. Authorities also regulated vehicular movement and controlled the crowd gathered in the area.The elephant was administered two doses of painkillers through darting around 6 am. “The elephant is now more active than before and is recovering rapidly,” Dhanraj said.Dhanraj added that expert veterinarians from OUAT and Nandankanan zoological park are being consulted on the treatment protocol.According to forest officials, the elephant later moved about 100 metres into the adjoining forest from NH-20. Officials expect it to recover naturally within the next two to three days without requiring further medical intervention.Forest staff have been deployed in the area to monitor the elephant’s health and movement. Residents have also been advised not to approach the animal.Officials expressed concern over frequent incidents of wildlife being injured on highways. They said that despite the installation of cautionary signboards at several locations along NH-20, speeding vehicles continue to pose a threat to wild animals.
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