Sexagenarian tribal killed by elephant

The incident took place when he went inside the reserve forest to collect firewood. Department officials said the man could have accidentally gone close to the elephant due to his poor vision.

The deceased was identified as V. Kunjan (65) a tribal farm labourer of Indira Nagar near Arakkankottai in Gobichettipalayam Taluk. He went inside the reserve forest at TN Palayam in Kadambur Forest Range early in the morning on Wednesday. Villagers started searching for him as he did not return home for a long time and found him dead with grave injuries. Forest department staff retrieved the body and sent it to the Gobichettipalayam Government Hospital for post-mortem, where it was confirmed that he was trampled to death by an elephant. Department personnel also warned villagers living in tribal hamlets in and around the forest about elephant movement near human habitations. An initial solatium of Rs.25,000 was given to Kunjan’s family. A case was registered by forest officials and further investigations were underway.

Forest officials and staff from Thalawadi Forest Range are treating an Gaur (Indian Bison) that fell ill amid banana plantations near Kalmandipuram, outside reserve forest area in Thalawadi Range. According to forest officials the gaur looked unhealthy and did not take food and water from Wednesday morning. The gaur could not walk and was attended by a veterinarian and forest department staff.