Two separate elephant attacks in Kerala on May 1 left two men dead and several others injured. In Kidangoor, a captive elephant freed itself while being taken for watering, reportedly gored a 40-year-old man named Vishnu and injured caretaker Pradeep before a specialised squad tranquillized it after nearly four hours. Hours later at Koodalminikyam Temple in Irinjalakuda, another elephant broke out and trampled caretaker Sreekuttan, who later died; handler Amal was hospitalized. Local authorities are investigating both incidents.
40-Year-Old Gored to Death After Temple Elephant Breaks Chains; Second Rampage Kills Caretaker in Kerala
Elephant in India (stock image)Credit: Getty
Two separate incidents involving captive temple elephants in Kerala on May 1 left at least two people dead and several others injured, authorities and local media reported.
Kidangoor Mahavishnu Temple incident
At about 9:15 a.m. local time on May 1, an elephant being taken for watering near the Kidangoor Mahavishnu Temple allegedly freed itself from its chains and became aggressive. Witnesses and local outlets Onmanorama, The Free Press Journal and News Karnataka said the animal lifted a 40-year-old man identified as Vishnu, a resident of Kollam, with its trunk and then trampled and fatally gored him.
The elephant also struck its primary caretaker, Pradeep, who was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries. Videos circulating on social media showed the animal ramming its tusks into cars, overturning scooters and a parked vehicle, and pulling trees out by the roots as onlookers and officials attempted to respond.
Elephant in India (stock image)Credit: Getty
A specialised elephant squad was dispatched to the scene; The Free Press Journal reported it took nearly four hours to tranquillize the animal and bring the situation under control. Angamaly Police were cited by local outlets as handling the response.
Koodalminikyam Temple incident
Hours later at the Koodalminikyam Temple in Irinjalakuda, a separate elephant that had shown signs of restlessness during a ritual procession the previous night reportedly broke out of its enclosure and attacked its handlers. Caretaker Sreekuttan suffered chest injuries after being trampled and later died at a nearby hospital; a second handler, Amal, was injured and remains hospitalized, News Karnataka reported.
Context and response
Both incidents involved captive elephants used in temple rituals and festival processions. Local authorities are investigating the events and the circumstances that allowed the animals to escape or break free from their restraints. The two attacks have prompted renewed attention to safety measures for handlers, temple staff and residents in areas where captive elephants are used in public ceremonies.
Sources: Onmanorama, The Free Press Journal, News Karnataka (as reported by PEOPLE).
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