Kalpetta, 04 March (H.S.):A young man was found dead in a farm in Sultan Bathery in Kerala’s Wayanad district late Tuesday night, with authorities suspecting that he may have been killed in a wild elephant attack. The deceased has been identified as Rajeev, a resident of Vadakkanad in Bathery.

According to preliminary reports, Rajeev had gone to his agricultural land after noticing that a wild elephant had entered the property. Local residents said the region has been facing frequent incidents of elephant intrusion in recent weeks, causing concern among farmers.

Family members said Rajeev left his house around 9.30 p.m., reportedly to chase the elephant away from the farmland. When he did not return even after midnight, his relatives grew worried and began searching for him in the surrounding area.

During the search, they found Rajeev lying motionless in the farmland. He was later confirmed dead. Local residents who reached the spot noticed large elephant footprints near the body, strengthening suspicions that he may have been attacked by a wild elephant.

Villagers in the area also reported hearing the loud trumpeting of an elephant around the time Rajeev had gone to the farm. Authorities believe he had gone alone to drive the animal away when the incident occurred.

The Sultan Bathery region and other parts of Wayanad frequently experience human–wildlife conflict, particularly involving elephants that stray into agricultural lands in search of food. Residents say the situation has worsened in recent months, posing a serious threat to farmers and people living near forest fringes.

Forest department officials and police have reached the site and begun an investigation into the incident. Further details are expected after a preliminary inquiry and post-mortem examination.

Local residents have once again demanded urgent measures from the authorities to control the increasing elephant menace in the region and ensure the safety of people living near forest areas.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman