A 47-year-old farmer was injured in a wild elephant attack at Singukandam, near Chinnakkanal, on Sunday (March 15).

The victim, identified as Madhu, a resident of Singukandam, narrowly escaped from an encounter with a tusker locally known as “Chakkakompan” around midnight on Sunday.

According to local residents, When Madhu was alerted by his relative, Soundar, that an elephant was roaming on his farmland, he rushed to the field to drive the animal away.

The elephant suddenly charged at the farmer, striking Madhu and causing him to fall onto a rock. He managed to scramble to the other side of the rock, narrowly escaping further injury.

Soundar arrived shortly thereafter and rushed Madhu to a private hospital in Rajakkad. The farmer sustained injuries to his face, legs, and hands.

The farmer said that this was the third time in a single month that the tusker had destroyed his crops. Forest department officials visited the site and provided initial financial assistance for his medical treatment. Officials warned that Chakkakompan is currently in musth and cautioned the public against approaching the animal.