IWN Daily Digest — Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Five people were injured in 24 hours. The attacker was the size of a small dog. And the Udala forest range of Mayurbhanj had never quite seen anything like it.
A honey badger entered Khudputli village in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha on Monday night and attacked two people, biting them severely. Both were rushed to Udala Medical for treatment. When the animal returned on Tuesday morning, it attacked three more villagers in separate incidents before retreating each time into the nearby jungle.
Fearless by design
Eyewitnesses described it as resembling a small bear — aggressive, territorial, and completely unbothered by humans. That tracks. The honey badger, Mellivora capensis, holds the Guinness record as the world’s most fearless animal. It has been documented facing down lions, breaking out of enclosures, and shaking off bee stings without pause. That it injured five people and kept coming back is not surprising to anyone who knows the species.
What makes this incident unusual is the location. Honey badgers are rarely sighted in Mayurbhanj, making this appearance — and the ferocity of the encounters — particularly alarming for the community.
Rescued, not harmed
Officials from the Udala Forest Department responded and successfully captured the animal. The Wildlife Trust of India is now supervising its care. Baripada Forest Division ACF Meherbaan Ali confirmed the identification and said the team was assessing the badger’s health before deciding where to release it — away from human settlements.
The injured villagers are being treated, with some reported in serious condition. Forest officials have asked residents to stay away from the forest fringe until the situation is fully under control.
Wildlife experts note that such rare incursions often occur when animals stray into villages in search of food. What drives a honey badger this far out of its usual range, in this particular district, at this time of year, is a question worth asking.
Sources: ANI
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