College student dies in elephant attack near Valparai

An 18-year-old youth died in an attack by a wild elephant near Valaparai on Saturday, June 1. The victim, S. Mukesh, lived in a private residence at Puthukad near Valparai.

Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) officials said Mukesh, a student, had an encounter with a wild elephant around 6 pm while riding a two-wheeler from Puthukad to Sholayar Dam via a highway.

Though Mukesh got off his two-wheeler to escape from the elephant, the animal allegedly chased and attacked him. He was taken to a hospital in Murugali tea estate and then shifted to Valparai Government Hospital. Doctors at Valparai GH declared him dead on arrival.

Manambolly Forest Officer A. Manikandan handed over an emergency aid of Rs 50,000 to the deceased’s father on Sunday. The youth’s body was handed over to the family on Sunday after the post-mortem.

According to the forest department, the last death due to an elephant attack on the Valparai plateau was reported on June 4, 2021.

Last month, 54-year-old Ravi, a Kadar tribal man from Nedungundram settlement in ATR wildlife sanctuary, was trampled to death by a wild elephant.