Fear gripped the residents of Khudaputuli village under Udala forest range in Mayurbhanj district after a wild animal allegedly resembling a honey badger attacked multiple villagers, leaving at least five people seriously injured over two days, sources said on Tuesday.

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According to sources, the animal entered the village on Monday night and first attacked two residents, who sustained severe injuries and were later admitted to a health facility in Udala for treatment. Villagers said the animal appeared aggressive and repeatedly chased people before biting them.

The situation worsened on Tuesday morning when the same animal allegedly attacked three more persons in the village, triggering panic among locals. Witnesses claimed the animal would disappear into a nearby forest after each attack and return again to target villagers moving around the area.

Residents described the animal as bear-like in appearance and suspected it to be a honey badger, a rare but highly aggressive wild species known for its defensive behaviour. The repeated attacks forced many villagers to remain indoors amid fear and uncertainty.

After receiving information about the incident, officials from the Udala Forest Department rushed to the village and launched an operation to control and capture the animal. Forest personnel have been monitoring the nearby forest areas to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of villagers.

Authorities said efforts are underway to identify the exact species of the animal and assess whether it may have strayed from the forest in search of food or due to habitat disturbance. Officials also appealed to villagers not to venture alone into isolated areas until the situation is fully brought under control.

The incident has raised concerns over increasing human-animal conflict in forest-adjacent villages of Mayurbhanj district, where wild animals occasionally enter residential areas.

“A strange animal came here. That animal also came last night and injured two people. They are currently in Udala hospital. This morning, we were out in the field for our morning routine when it suddenly appeared again at around 9 o’clock. After it appeared, it attacked us severely; it attacked three people. Then there was a fierce fight, following which, we ran away from there, and it also ran away into the nearby bushes,” an injured youth, Sanjib Nayak, said while speaking to mediapersons.

“In this group, sloth bears or Indian honey badgers are residing on our hill, living in small burrows. We had entered the village. Last night, two people were slightly injured. This morning, after three more people were injured, we are currently capturing the animal and keeping it in a cage. There is a beautiful den nearby, and there is also a possibility that the animals are staying there. So, there won’t be just one animal like before; there will definitely be more such animals,” Udala ranger, Susanta Bag, stated.

Reported By: Abhijit Biswal