Jumbo tramples woman to death in Nilgiris

S Rajeshwari from Karur, had visited his daughter’s house at Cherambadi, according to the forest officials.

“She was returning after attending a temple function along with her family and relatives when a wild elephant attacked her. She succumbed to injuries on the spot,” said a forest official. With this incident, the death toll due to elephant attacks has climbed to five in the Nilgiris this year. Four of those died in Gudalur and Pandalur areas due to conflict. The forest department on Monday handed over a compensation of Rs 50,000 to the deceased’s kin.

In another incident, G Ramesh (34), a resident of Cherambadi suffered injuries, while trying to escape an attack by a wild elephant on Monday. “The man was crossing a road close to a forest area and on noticing an elephant he took to his heels. During his escape bid, he fell down and suffered injuries. He was admitted to the Gudalur government hospital,” said an official.

The forest department has also enhanced vigil to track movement of elephants in villages close to forests in an effort to prevent fresh cases of attacks.