Odisha Elephants Targeted: 117 Tusks Seized Since 2020

Data compiled by the state wildlife headquarters has exposed rampant elephant poaching in Odisha, with 117 tusks seized across various divisions from the 2020-21 financial year up to February 2026. This period saw fluctuating seizure numbers, peaking at 29 tusks in 2024-25, while other years ranged from six to 25 tusks.

Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts have emerged as major hotspots for tusk seizures. These areas, with tribal populations, reported significant numbers of confiscated tusks, underscoring the severity of the poaching crisis.

Wildlife experts suggest that the involvement of tusks points directly to poaching. They advocate for a specialized force, similar to the Special Tiger Protection Force, to combat the increasingly professional and elusive poachers.

Compounding these concerns, the elephant population in the Similipal landscape has drastically decreased. A 2017 census recorded 330 elephants, but the 2024 census showed a significant drop to 204. While habitat loss and other factors contribute, the recovered tusks are directly linked to poaching activities.