Elephant dies after being hit by train in Palakkad, baby elephant sustains injuries, forest minister directs to take action

PALAKKAD: A wild elephant died after hit by a train in Kanjikode. The train hit a herd of elephants while crossing the B-line of Kottamutty part in between Walayar and Kanjikode. The dead was a 20-year-old female elephant. The elephant was hit by Kanyakumari-Assam Express early Friday morning at 4.30 am.

A herd of elephants are usually seen in Kottamutty area. The train hit the elephant while trying to cross the railway track. The train hit the back of the elephant, which gave birth today. A baby elephant was with the elephant. The baby elephant is suspected to have sustained injuries. A search has started to trace the elephant, said officials of the forest department.

The forest department could not reach the spot as the herd of elephants did not move from the spot. Though the elephants moved from there later, they are stationed nearby. The forest minister directed to take steps immediately. Railway officials and officials of the forest department reached the spot and started the proceedings. The post-mortem will be conducted soon.