Date:23/01/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/01/23/stories/2003012303640800.htm

National

Elephant strikes terror

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI JAN.22. An elephant gored its mahout to death and unleashed terror in the heart of the city for more than three hours today.

A semblance of normality returned only after a veterinary doctor tranquillized the pachyderm.

The mahout, Gopalakrishnan Nair of Manikkamangalam, near Kalady, was killed by the elephant, which had been named Ravipuram Govindan.

The animal obviously in an agitated state, did not let go of the mahout's body it held between its tusks for more than 45 minutes.

It raised the body and dashed it against a nearby wall and dropped it on the road initially, as hundreds of people stood shell-shocked, watching the scene in fear. It later rushed towards the busy city arterial road and pulled down a few hoardings, and damaged a car, which its driver abandoned.

The elephant became uncontrollable, when mahouts brought it to a house on Ammankoil Road. Another mahout, Chandran, who was on top of the animal, jumped to safety. It then took off towards the city, creating anxious moments when it ran passed the YMCA building, where a huge crowd was seen.

The veterinarian used a dart gun to sedate the violent animal. After a 45-minute ordeal, the mahouts managed to chain the pachyderm to a tree near the KSRTC Bus Stand.

The veterinarian, Dr. Abraham, attributed the animal's behaviour to careless and improper handling when it was in `musthi'.

The animal should have been secured once it showed signs of `musthi' and cold water should have been poured on it.