Ivory Coast: Elephant seriously injures 29-year-old youth, Ministry of Water and Forests issues warning

A 29-year-old man named Touré Woli was seriously injured by an elephant in August 2026 in a maize field near Badikaha, Niakara department. The incident occurred while he was working and was startled by the animal, which was part of a herd including calves. Local authorities, including Deputy Karim Ouattara Pénawelfa and the Forest and Water Resources officer, visited the victim to show support. The Ministry of Water and Forests issued a warning about the increasing conflicts between humans and elephants across several regions, emphasizing that protected elephants can become dangerous if threatened and advising against provocation or individual hunting.