Deprived of quiet sanctuaries, local elephant populations face a barrage of modern threats that result in tragic, unnatural deaths. The desperate march for survivalThe root cause driving elephants out of their natural forest enclosures is entirely ecological. Historically, when bamboo reserves were dense and abundant, elephants rarely had any reason to stray out of their natural forest enclosures. When villages are breached, local forest department staff deployed in nearby areas are immediately alerted to initiate driving operations. The author is former PCCF & HoFF, Odisha, Founder of Save Elephant Foundation Trust, and holds a Ph.D. specializing in the elephants of Odisha