Elephant calf lands in house

The incident occurred at Kozhipalam near Gudalur, about 80 km from here, around 2 30 am when Yakoob and his family members, who were fast asleep, woke up on hearing a loud noise. To their horror, they found an elephant calf in the house. Yakoob, his wife Subaida, two-year-old daughter and his mother ran out of the house to safety.

Forest department officials said Yakoob’s wife was injured in the melee and has been hospitalised. 

The officials added that the calf, estimated to be 18 months old, was moving along with a herd when it strayed and walked onto the asbestos sheet roof of the house, which collapsed under its weight. 

The baby elephant then started running uncontrollably, damaging utensils and furniture and trumpeting loudly in a bid to escape. Subsequently, a herd of six elephants reached the place and started damaging the house in a bid to rescue the calf. 

The windows, a television set and walls of the house were damaged by the jumbos, the officials said. On receiving information, the Forest department officials rushed to the spot and scared away the elephants after a two-hour-long struggle, they added.