A captive elephant went on a rampage at a temple in Angamaly near Kochi on May 1, killing one person and injuring another before being tranquilised more than two hours after turning aggressive.
The elephant, Mayyanad Parthasarathy, had been brought from Kollam to Kidangoor Mahavishnu Temple in Angamaly on Friday. On reaching the temple, it broke free and turned violent.
Video circulating on social media shows the elephant lifting a Maruti Swift car and repeatedly smashing it to the ground, completely destroying the vehicle. It was also seen uprooting a tree and dragging it, and attacking several parked cars and two-wheelers near the temple premises.
Also Read:Man Allegedly Kills Wife and Four Children Before Suicide Attempt
A police officer from Angamaly Police Station confirmed that the incident claimed the life of the lorry driver who had been transporting the elephant. The victim, identified as Vishnu from Kollam, died on the spot. The elephant’s primary mahout, identified as Pradeep, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he is reportedly recovering.
Personnel from the Forest Department’s Elephant Squad attempted to capture the animal before it moved towards populated areas outside the temple. It took more than an hour for teams to neutralise it. A veterinarian eventually tranquilised the elephant around noon over two hours after it first turned aggressive. Shortly after being darted, the animal became briefly more agitated and overturned another vehicle within the temple premises before being brought under control.
-
-
-
-
