Believe it or not, an IED (Improvised Explosive Device),a "homemade" bomb, concealed in debris, dirt and under a mud -road to ambush convoys of security forces by the Maoists, has reportedly caused serious injury to a wild elephant in Saranda forest area of Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district.

Reports confirmed that the elephant’s condition remains ‘extremely serious’. The injured elephant was spotted on Sunday evening near Kolbonga village under the Jaraikela police station limits in the Manoharpur block.

Two days later on Tuesday, inquiry  revealed that, a group of tribal villagers who had gone to the forest to fish had noticed the animal in distress. 

The elephant appeared severely injured, struggling to move and showing signs of intense suffering, a report quoting a tribal villager claimed.

The villagers immediately alerted the forest department, following which a rescue team rushed to the spot. Authorities have since been making continuous efforts to save the animal, though its condition remains ‘critical’.

Forest department officials suspect that the elephant had been injured in an explosion that reportedly occurred two days earlier near Ponga Junction in the Viria area of the forest.

It is believed that the animal may have unknowingly come into contact with explosive material left in the jungle.

A report quoting one Veterinary officer Dr Sanjay Gholatkar informed that the elephant had likely sustained injuries a few days ago and its condition has been deteriorating steadily since then.

Incidents involving wildlife falling victim to Maoists’ explosive devices have been reported in the Saranda forest in the past as well.

According to officials, several elephants have previously lost their lives in similar accidents, raising concerns over the presence of hazardous materials in the forest area.