COIMBATORE: A 70-year-old woman was killed and another seriously injured when they were attacked by two elephants at Narasimanacikenpalayam on the outskirts of the city on Tuesday night.
While the deceased was identified as Ramathal, 70, of Samichettipalayam, Thulasiammal of Kasthuripalayam was injured in the attack.
On Tuesday evening, two elephants belonging to a herd of four lost their way and were seen roaming near Narasimanacikenpalayam. "We were following the elephants as we were carrying out a study to understand why the elephants came out of the forest. The elephants that lost their way might be new to the herd," said wildlife activist R Mohammed Saleem.
The forest department officials were trying to chase away the elephants into the reserve forest when the incident happened. "We had warned the people to stay indoors while chasing the elephants away into the jungles so that no one is attacked by the animals," said Saleem.
"At that time, Ramathal stepped out of her house to take a look at the pachyderms out of curiosity. In a move of self-defence, the elephants attacked her. The elephants also attacked Thulasiammal who sustained injuries," he said.
The elephants then entered into a farm near Keerantham. The owner of the farm, P Maragatham, 70, said, "We spotted the elephants during the wee hours of the day. They damaged some of our crops and left the place. About two years ago, elephants were spotted in a nearby farm, but this is the first time elephants entered our farm."
On Wednesday evening, one of the elephants returned to the area and forest officials were trying to drive back the animal into the reserve forest.
A resident of Thendral Nagar in Narasimanaickenpalaym, M Muthukumar, said, "We have been spotting elephants in our area for the past two weeks. They come here around 7pm and return to the forest by 6am. They have not caused much damage, but a ration shop was damaged in a nearby area."
Forest department and police personnel were unavailable for comments.
While the deceased was identified as Ramathal, 70, of Samichettipalayam, Thulasiammal of Kasthuripalayam was injured in the attack.
On Tuesday evening, two elephants belonging to a herd of four lost their way and were seen roaming near Narasimanacikenpalayam. "We were following the elephants as we were carrying out a study to understand why the elephants came out of the forest. The elephants that lost their way might be new to the herd," said wildlife activist R Mohammed Saleem.
The forest department officials were trying to chase away the elephants into the reserve forest when the incident happened. "We had warned the people to stay indoors while chasing the elephants away into the jungles so that no one is attacked by the animals," said Saleem.
"At that time, Ramathal stepped out of her house to take a look at the pachyderms out of curiosity. In a move of self-defence, the elephants attacked her. The elephants also attacked Thulasiammal who sustained injuries," he said.
The elephants then entered into a farm near Keerantham. The owner of the farm, P Maragatham, 70, said, "We spotted the elephants during the wee hours of the day. They damaged some of our crops and left the place. About two years ago, elephants were spotted in a nearby farm, but this is the first time elephants entered our farm."
On Wednesday evening, one of the elephants returned to the area and forest officials were trying to drive back the animal into the reserve forest.
A resident of Thendral Nagar in Narasimanaickenpalaym, M Muthukumar, said, "We have been spotting elephants in our area for the past two weeks. They come here around 7pm and return to the forest by 6am. They have not caused much damage, but a ration shop was damaged in a nearby area."
Forest department and police personnel were unavailable for comments.
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