Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Nov 13: A retired gangman of the public works department, named Siddappa Malekudia(69),  resident of Gundya Thota of Siribagil village in Puttur taluk, was done to death by wild elephants. His body was recovered from the forest near Kokkada on Tuesday November 11.

Wild elephants have been playing havoc with the agricultural crops and other property in the region since the last several years. A few heads of cattle belonging to Malekudia, which had entered the forest for grazing on Sunday November 9, had not returned.  In search of the cattle, Malekudia had ventured into the forest on Monday. As his dog which accompanied him returned alone, the villagers started searching for him on Monday  afternoon but were forced to suspend the operation in the evening, after finding a rogue elephant roaming around the region.

The search launched by a group of people again on Tuesday morning bore fruits by afternoon. His corpse was found lying at Baitadka and his abodomen region was found to have been crushed. It is thought that a wild elephant which confronted him while he was searching for his cattle herd, attacked him, as marks of roaming elephants was found in the area.

The deceased is survived by wife, four sons and four daughters. Range forest officer Subrahmanya Rao visited his house and besides providing solace to family members, assured them that the department would pay them compensation. A case has been registered.