Forest watcher trampled to death by wild elephant in Chimmini forest

A forest watcher was trampled to death by a wild elephant while on fireline duty inside the Chimmini forest area in Thrissur on Thursday morning.

The deceased has been identified as Kumar, 42, a resident of the Echippara tribal hamlet. The incident occurred in the forested area located along the border of the Mangalam Dam and Chimmini Dam regions. Kumar was part of a six-member team engaged in creating firelines, a routine forest management activity aimed at preventing the spread of wildfires.

According to officials, the team suddenly encountered a wild elephant. As the animal charged towards them, the members of the group scattered in different directions in an attempt to escape. About half an hour later, when the team members regrouped and returned to the area, they found Kumar lying on the ground after being attacked by the elephant.

Beat officers who were with the team managed to bring him out of the forest and rushed him to a private hospital in Velupadam. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival. His body was later shifted to Government Medical College Hospital, Thrissur, for further procedures. The Varandarappilly police have initiated further legal proceedings in connection with the incident.