Forest Guard Killed in Wild Elephant Attack During Tiger Census in Palakkad

Palakkad: A forest guard who had gone for a tiger census in Puthur, Palakkad, was killed in a wild elephant attack on Saturday. The victim, Kalimuthu (48), was an Assistant Beat Forest Officer with the Puthur Forest Station.

The five-member team had set out early in the morning for the census work. Around 2 pm, the group encountered a wild elephant in the Mulli area. As the animal charged, the team members tried to run in different directions. The elephant chased Kalimuthu and trampled him to death, according to initial reports.

A search operation led by the Rapid Response Team (RRT) later recovered his body, which was shifted to the Kottathara Taluk Hospital. Preliminary examination confirmed severe trampling injuries. Another member of the team, who fell while trying to escape, also sustained injuries and has been admitted to hospital.

Forest officials noted that just two days earlier, another team conducting census work in the same region had lost their way and remained trapped in the forest overnight, underscoring the difficult terrain and high risks involved in the area.