As per the latest census, over 100 elephants living in Athagarh Forest Division and dozens of elephants from Chandaka and Kapilash are frequently visiting the Athagarh jungles for food and other purposes. However, they are vulnerable to various threats.
These pachyderms are passing through the Mahanadi river, NH-55, SHs, railway lines and cultivated farm lands etc.
They are being obstructed by commuters' vehicles, trains, public and farmers.
Recently there was a news of passing of elephants in railway lines in the morning when a goods train was coming towards them in the track near Matsyapur Railway Station under Khuntuni forest range area. Due to presence of mind of the train driver, he put breaks on the train and saved the lives of about twenty elephants. However, elephants in separate herds are frequently crossing NH-55 at Baula, Kapursingh and State Highways at Megha, Pathapur, Ghantikhal and other places posing a threat of accident.
Since elephants are not finding much fodder, they are always in revenge mood with the forest officials here who allegedly don't attend and watch the elephants' movements in regular intervals.
Sometimes it is seen that the farmers spray poisons in their cultivated farm lands or scatter live electric wires in their field to protect their crops out of the wild animals' scourge by which several animals fall prey and succumb. When the innocent pachyderms pass on the roads in absence of elephant watchers, public are seen teasing them for which they are being disturbed.