Floods in North Bengal Trigger Human-Animal Conflict, Five Dead
North Bengal, India – October 24, 2025: The recent floods in North Bengal have escalated human-animal conflicts, claiming five lives in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts. An adult male elephant in musth and a wild boar were responsible for the fatalities, officials confirmed.
The first attack occurred when a 43-year-old man was killed by the elephant while returning home on his motorcycle. Hours later, the same elephant attacked a family seven kilometers away, resulting in the deaths of a woman and her two-year-old child.
“The elephant is an adult male that is on musth. We have identified it and are actively tracking its movement,” said a forest official.
Wildlife and Flood Impact
JV Bhaskar, Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), stated that the floods have forced animals out of their natural habitats, increasing encounters with humans. “Several animals have come out of forests, particularly into villages located near forest fringes. Unfortunately, five human deaths have been reported, and animals have also perished in the floods,” he added.
Officials reported the rescue of five rhinos, while six gaurs (Indian bisons) were pushed back into the forest. The wild boar responsible for two deaths was swept down the River Torsa for approximately 30 kilometers. Elephants have been straying into villages almost daily, creating heightened risks for residents.
Flood Toll on People and Wildlife
The floods left 32 people homeless and caused widespread displacement in the region. Wildlife suffered significant losses, with a leopard, a rhino, a bison, and a sambar deer reported dead.
Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri host several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, including Gorumara, Chapramari, Jaldapara, and Buxa, which are home to elephants, rhinos, leopards, sambar deer, and bison. Tigers have also been sighted in Buxa Tiger Reserve. The receding floodwaters left grasslands covered in silt, depriving herbivores of their natural fodder.
“Elephant herds depend on these grasslands for food. With the grasslands covered in silt, they are forced to stray into human settlements. It may take the monsoon rains to restore these areas,” said a forest official.
Measures Taken by Authorities
Forest authorities are increasing patrolling, especially at night, and have deployed 20-25 quick response teams, each comprising six personnel, to respond to wildlife-related incidents. Officials anticipate that migratory herbivores, particularly elephants, may move towards Buxa Tiger Reserve within the next one or two months in search of fodder.
