Elephant Rampage Kills 1 in India

In some cases, humans have become prey

(NEWSER) - In parts of India such as the Sundarban Islands of West Bengal, humans are encroaching more than ever into the habitat of local wildlife. But here, the familiar story has a twist: elephants and tigers are responding by killing and even eating humans, ABC News reports. The latter is a rarity even for a carnivore like the tiger, but starvation has pushed them to extremes. Tiger attacks are up 30% over the past decade. More»

(NEWSER) - A marauding herd of some 100 elephants has run amok on an Indian island, destroying homes and crushing fields as they feast on sugarcane. Panicky villagers were using firecrackers and bonfires in a bid to drive off the animals. Some 50 families have moved to a school for shelter. More»

Creatures face extinction in 30 year

(NEWSER) - If deforestation isn't slowed right away, wild Sumatran elephants could be extinct within three decades, environmentalists say. The creatures have been labeled "critically endangered," with their numbers cut in half since 1985; now, only 2,400 to 2,800 remain. The forests of Sumatra in Indonesia—host to some of Asia's key elephant populations— are being clear-cut for paper, timber, and palm oil, the AP notes. "Unless urgent and effective conservation action is taken these magnificent animals are likely to go extinct within our lifetime," said a rep for WWF. More»

Aussie veterinarian may have startled animal, rangers say

(NEWSER) - An Australian veterinarian with a passion for conservation has been killed by a pygmy elephant while trekking in a remote wildlife park in Borneo. Jenna O'Grady Donley, 25, was fatally gored by the animal as she, a friend, and their guide were trekking near a mud volcano, AP reports. Rangers are searching for the elephant, believed to be a fully grown male around 6 feet tall, and plan to drive it back into the forest. More»

Big cat dies after battle with villagers

(NEWSER) - A leopard that strayed into an Indian village mauled 11 people before wildlife officials managed to sedate it with tranquilizer darts. The fully-grown big cat later died of injuries sustained in a fierce battle with villagers, who used knives and stones to beat it back, the AP reports. Six villagers, a policeman and four forest guards were injured, mostly by swipes from the leopard's claws. Workers attempted to drive the cat into a nearby wildlife sanctuary before resorting to darts. More»