Panic gripped parts of the state capital on Friday morning after a wild elephant entered a residential area, prompting a swift response from forest and police authorities.
The animal was first sighted in Hawai Nagar in the early hours and later moved towards Birsa Chowk, disrupting traffic and forcing residents to remain indoors. With schools open and morning movement at its peak, officials said additional precautions were taken.
Divisional Forest Officer Srikant Verma said the elephant appeared to have deviated from its usual route and wandered into the city. He said safety measures were prioritised, particularly due to school hours.
Forest Department sources indicated that one of the elephant’s eyes was reportedly injured, which may have caused disorientation. However, officials said no aggressive behaviour was observed during the operation.
Joint teams of the Forest Department and Ranchi Police cordoned off key stretches and gradually guided the animal away from densely populated areas.
After several hours of coordinated effort, the elephant was steered towards the Ring Road and moved out of the city limits near the airport boundary.
No injuries or property damage were reported. Officials said the situation is being monitored to ensure the animal safely rejoins its herd and does not return to urban areas.
Such incidents have become more frequent in parts of Jharkhand, reflecting the growing interface between wildlife habitats and expanding urban settlements.