Wild elephant hit by train in Palakkad dies

PALAKKAD: A wild elephant, that was undergoing treatment after being hit by a train in Palakkad, has died. The death was confirmed at around 5 pm today. Yesterday, the elephant was not able to move its two hind legs. The elephant was only given life-sustaining medicines. The female elephant, which entered a populated area in search of drinking water at night, was hit by the train while crossing the railway track on its way back to the forest. The incident happened last Wednesday.

The elephant was housed in a temporary shelter. The animal was moved to the temporary shelter for treatment as it was unable to stand up. The forest department had decided to release it to the forest once the injury was cured. However, the elephant's health reportedly deteriorated while it was undergoing treatment.

The elephant was injured while crossing the track near the Kottekkad railway gate in Malampuzha. It is believed that the animal may have been hit by a train when it fell down while running. Initial medical examination had showed that the elephant had only minor injuries. It sustained an injury on the tip of the right hind leg.

There were six elephants in the herd. The locals were the ones who initially learnt about the incident when they gathered nearby after hearing the elephants' cries. Soon, the forest department officials reached the spot and shifted the injured elephant to a temporary shelter for treatment. Later, the other elephants went back to the forest.