Terrified elephant and mother pelted with fireballs as they crossed railway line in heartbreaking images

Andy Wells
·Freelance Writer
<em>Villagers resorted to extreme tactics in an effort to drive the elephants out (Caters)</em>
Villagers resorted to extreme tactics in an effort to drive the elephants out (Caters)

These are the heartbreaking images that show a confused family of elephants being pelted with fireballs as they tried to cross a railway line built through their habitat.

The photos, taken by Biplab Hazra in Bishnupur, India, show the extreme lengths the inhabitants of the town go to to deter elephants from damaging their crops and property.

<em>The animals were trying to navigate a railway line in India (Caters)</em>
The animals were trying to navigate a railway line in India (Caters)
<em>The elephants were pelted with firebombs by locals (Caters)</em>
The elephants were pelted with firebombs by locals (Caters)
<em>The railway line was built straight through the elephants’ habitat (Caters)</em>
The railway line was built straight through the elephants’ habitat (Caters)

Villagers often resort to extreme tactics in an effort to drive the elephants out – with one shocking photograph revealing firebombs being launched at a mother and calf as they cross the road.

Elephants encroaching out of their habitats is an increasingly common occurrence with deforestation in much of India.

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Biplab said the aim of his photography was to heighten awareness about the issues that elephants face with the increasing threat their habitat is under.

He added: ‘This happens because the villagers have to save their crops.

<em>Elephants encroaching out of their habitats is an increasingly common occurrence in much of India (Caters)</em>
Elephants encroaching out of their habitats is an increasingly common occurrence in much of India (Caters)
<em>Locals were trying to deter elephants from damaging their crops and property (Caters)</em>
Locals were trying to deter elephants from damaging their crops and property (Caters)

‘There are many elephant corridors in human habitations.

‘I try to show and spread my photos to increase public awareness on the matter.’