Dubare camp closed for a day after jumbo kills mahout

A mahout was killed by an elephant at Dubare camp on Monday. The deceased has been identified as Annu (48), who was a mahout for an elephant named Ranjan.

According to eyewitnesses, Annu was removing the shackles of his elephant (Ranjan) for the morning stroll when another elephant Karthik, aged six, suddenly raised Annu with its trunk and flung him some distance. Annu, who fell from a height, died instantly.

Though chained, the jumbo later created havoc by moving sideways wildly, triggering tension for sometime. The other domesticated elephants were deployed to bring the elephant under control.Following the incident and the elephant’s violent behaviour, the camp, known for its safari, was closed for visitors.

The mahout’s autopsy was conducted at the community health centre at Siddapur and his body was handed over to his relatives. Divisional Forest Officer Surya Sen, Range Forest Officer Nehru and Assistant Conservator of Forest Ranjan visited the spot. Siddapur police have registered a case.

Another attack?

In another suspected wild elephant attack outside the camp, a mahout suffered injuries on Sunday.
Chandra, the mahout was walking towards his house from the camp when he was allegedly attacked by a wild elephant. On Monday, he was found in a pool of blood and was rushed to Siddapur primary health centre for first aid. He was later shifted to the District Hospital in Madikeri.

However, forest officials are verifying Chandra’s claims as he was found drunk in the camp.