Dudhwa National Park staff killed in elephant attack

An elephant killed a staff member in a sudden attack in Dudhwa National Park on Wednesday, with officials saying the animal had shown no signs of prior aggression. According to forest department officials, camp elephants are used for patrolling duties, tourist duties and in handling man-animal conflict.

An elephant killed a staff member in a sudden attack in Dudhwa National Park on Wednesday, with officials saying the animal had shown no signs of prior aggression. ''Ram Bilas (52) was taking the camp elephant named Vinayak to a water pond after routine monitoring in the rhino rehabilitation area on Wednesday. However, the elephant all of a sudden charged upon Ram Bilas and left him seriously injured,'' Field director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) H Rajamohan told PTI. He added Ram Bilas was immediately rushed to Palia community health centre. However, despite efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. Rajamohan said that the elephant would be under observation, while tourists would not be allowed to come close to the camp elephants in view of ''their unpredictable behaviour''. According to forest department officials, camp elephants are used for patrolling duties, tourist duties and in handling man-animal conflict. Ram Bilas's body was sent for a post-mortem examination, and Dudhwa officials have assured all possible help to the bereaved family.