A plantation worker who was seriously injured in a wild elephant attack at Kattikulam in Thirunelli, Wayanad, succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment on Wednesday.
The deceased has been identified as Raju (50), a native of Vellanchery. He was attacked by a wild elephant that had strayed into a residential area earlier in the day. The incident occurred while local residents were attempting to drive the animal away from the locality.
Raju sustained severe injuries to his ribs and internal organs during the attack. He was rushed to the Mananthavady Medical College Hospital for treatment but later died due to the seriousness of his injuries.
The elephant had spread panic in the area for several hours before it was eventually driven back into the forest through the joint efforts of local residents and Forest Department officials.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over increasing human-wildlife conflicts in the forest-fringe regions of Wayanad.
