Puri: A honey badger, also known as a ratel, was killed after being hit by a truck near Nuharkiri under the Nimapara block of Puri district on Monday morning.
According to reports, the accident occurred as the honey badger was attempting to cross the road. Due to poor visibility caused by dense fog, the truck driver reportedly failed to notice the animal, leading to the fatal collision. The impact killed the honey badger instantly.
Local residents discovered the animal’s body lying by the roadside several hours later and informed the Forest Department. A team of forest officials arrived at the scene and identified the deceased animal as a honey badger.
Honey badgers are rarely found in this region, prompting forest officials to investigate the origin of the animal and how it came to be in the area.
The incident has drawn attention to the need for greater awareness and protective measures to prevent harm to wildlife, particularly in foggy conditions or regions frequented by rare species.
