A lone elephant searching in the villages bordering the Koundinya nature reserve trampled a 28-year-old youth to death when he returned home in the Palaman Mandal in Dalitwada in the village of Kaluvapalle on Tuesday evening.
Forest Range Officer (Palamaner) S. Srinivasulu said the teen was carrying a white bag when negotiating a stretch near the forest. The lone elephant that had haunted the villages in the Palaman Mandal chased him for a while before trampling him to death. “During the investigation, it turned out that the white bag the victim was carrying was his nemesis. Had he left the bag, he could have escaped the Jumbo’s anger. Several victims of jumbo attacks in the area were known to wear white clothing. Elephants lose their temper when they see white objects, ”claimed Srinivasulu.
The official said forest authorities had announced £ 5 as an immediate ex-gratia to the deceased’s family. “In addition to providing immediate funeral aid, we will provide the family with a check for £ 2.5 on Thursday,” said Srinivasulu.