T’puram: A 28-year-old mahout was killed after being attacked by an elephant at the Kappukad elephant rehabilitation centre in Kottoor on Wednesday morning. The deceased, Vishnu, a native of Balaramapuram, was bathing nine-year-old elephant Manu in the river when the animal suddenly turned aggressive. It struck him with its trunk, dragged him across the water and pushed him underwater. Though other mahouts and staff present at the spot rushed to rescue him, the elephant prevented them from approaching. Vishnu was later retrieved after the animal was brought under control, but he had sustained severe injuries and was declared dead. Vishnu had been taking care of the elephant for the past two years after it was brought to the rehabilitation centre from the forests in Nilambur. Arun Kumar, veterinary officer at the centre, said the elephant may have exhibited aggressive behaviour as it was approaching the musth phase. Vishnu had been working at the rehabilitation centre as a temporary staff member since 2016 and was included in the final list of candidates for appointment as a permanent mahout, sources said. The body was shifted to Govt Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, for postmortem examination and will be handed over to the family thereafter. He is survived by his parents, Biju and Kalayate, and a sister. Following the incident, authorities said the rehabilitation centre would remain closed to the public until further orders.
