Tragic Elephant Encounter Leads to Death of Local Woman

Maniammal, a 63-year-old widow from Punjaithuraiampalyam, was tragically killed by a wild elephant while collecting firewood in the Karikkalmedu Madaiyan Koil forest area. The incident occurred under the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. Villagers found her injured body and informed police and forest officials, who later confirmed her death was caused by the elephant.

A 63-year-old woman was trampled to death by a wild elephant in the district, forest officials reported on Thursday.

The incident unfolded when Maniammal, a widow residing in Punjaithuraiampalyam under the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR), ventured into the Karikkalmedu Madaiyan Koil forest area with other local women to collect firewood on Wednesday.

When Maniammal failed to return home by 7 p.m., her neighbors initiated a search. They discovered her lifeless body, bearing evident injuries attributed to the elephant attack. Subsequently, they notified the police and forest officials, who confirmed her death at the scene.

A formal case has been registered, police stated.