Elephant tramples another man to death
A Member of a forest protection committee was trampled to death in Wayanad on Friday. The incident came just six days after a farmer was killed by a radio-collared wild elephant in the district, triggering massive protests.
The victim, Vellachalil Paul (55), was going to Kuruva Dweep, also known as Kuruva Island, an eco-tourism destination in Wayanad. Paul is a member of the Vana Samarakshana Samithi (forest protection committee) at Kuruva Dweep.
A native of Pakkam in the district, Paul was proceeding for duty from his house when he reportedly came in front of a herd of elephants near the main gate of the eco-tourism centre around 9.30 am. A panic-stricken Paul turned and ran away. The elephant, however, chased him and attacked.
Seriously injured, Paul was rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital in Mananthavady. Later, he was moved to the Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode, where he was declared dead.
Last Saturday, a radio-collared wild elephant that strayed into a residential area near Mananthavady in Wayanad trampled a farmer to death after chasing him into the courtyard of a house.
The elephant had previously been captured and radio-collared by Karnataka authorities months ago. After the attack, Kerala’s chief wildlife warden issued an order to capture the animal again, but it remains elusive.
