A 22-year-old youth travelling with his father to Mysuru for a Railway Recruitment Board examination was seriously injured after being attacked by a wild elephant on the Punchavayal–Dasanakkara Road near Mananthavady early on Tuesday.
Youth shifted to Kozhikode for advanced care
The injured youth, Sathyajith, son of Mohanan from Neervaram near Panamaram, was initially admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH), Mananthavady. Doctors later recommended shifting him to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital after identifying spinal injuries requiring advanced critical care.
According to a communique issued by South Wayanad DFO Ajit K. Raman, the forest station received information about the attack at around 5.45 am. A forest team reached the site within 15 minutes, assisted the family and ensured the injured youth was transported to hospital in an ambulance due to the seriousness of his injuries.
Elephant returning to forest after night movement
Forest officials reported that the attack occurred while Sathyajith and his father were walking along the road. The elephant, which had wandered through nearby plantations overnight, was on its way back to the Pathiri Forest when it encountered them.
A team of forest personnel led by Chethalath Forest Range Officer M.K. Rajeev Kumar is accompanying the ambulance to Kozhikode to ensure safe transit. Another team has been deployed in the Pathiri zone to drive the elephant deeper into the forests and prevent further conflict.
Forest Department to cover treatment expenses
DFO Ajit K. Raman confirmed that the Forest Department will bear all medical expenses for Sathyajith’s treatment and rehabilitation. The incident has sparked renewed concern over increasing human–elephant encounters in North Kerala, particularly on rural stretches used by students and workers during early hours.