At least 20 people have been killed by a wild elephant in nine days in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, officials have said, adding that the animal is yet to be captured.

The deaths occurred between 1 and 9 January in the Chaibasa and Kolhan forest areas of West Singhbhum district, which are part of one of the largest Sal forests in Asia.

Human-elephant conflict has been reported in the region for years, with officials and researchers, external linking it to shrinking forest cover, habitat fragmentation and increased human activity near elephant corridors.

A massive search operation involving more than 100 forest personnel is under way to locate the elephant, officials say.

"This is an unprecedented situation. It's the first time such a pattern of fatalities has been linked to a single male elephant in the region," said divisional forest officer Kuldeep Meena, adding that the entire area had been put on high alert to prevent further loss of life and property.

Their immediate priority, he said, was to trace, capture and safely return the animal into the wild.

District magistrate Chandan Kumar told the BBC that a forest worker is among the 20 people who have died. Authorites have announced monetary compensation for their families.

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The attacks began earlier this month, with the animal targeting rural settlements and, in several cases, killing entire families inside their homes. The latest incident occurred on January 12, when two more people were killed before the elephant moved across the border into neighbouring Odisha.

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Fifteen pilot whales who were released into deep water after becoming stranded on Farewell Spit in Golden Bay have restranded with two of them dying overnight.

Project Jonah posted on their Facebook page the whales had restranded at two sites - Pūponga and Farewell Spit.

"This is the fourth day these whales have been stranded and welfare assessments are being carried out by Department of Conservation staff, Cetacean Ecology Research Group - CERG and Project Jonah.