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Elephants trample youth to death

Staff Reporter

BERHAMPUR: A youth, Dilip Bauri, 18, of Gunupur was trampled to death at a mango orchard by a herd of wild elephants near Turkiniguda village in Rayagada district on Friday. The herd had been striking terror in the areas of Gajapati and Rayagada districts for a month.

It was said that Dilip reached Turkinguda to see the animals. He reportedly threw a mango at the elephants that were moving inside the orchard. The enraged animals then encircled and trampled him to death.

In the morning, these elephants were seen at Regeda valley of Gunupur sub-division. Most of the villages in the area were deserted following the threat of elephants. Hundreds of inhabitants of Gunupur had come out of their homes to keep a watch on the elephants that were moving outside the town.

Forest and police officials were monitoring the herd and advising people not to do anything that irritated the pachyderms. Till the herd found its way to the Lakhari forest it would continue to move around in an irritated state and cause harm.

Fifth victim

Presence of newborn babies in the herd was also one reason for the aggressiveness of the animals, forest officials felt.

The animals have so far killed five persons. Last month, the herd entered Gunupur area of Rayagada district and killed two persons and injured several others.

On the night of May 4, the animals entered Kasinagar block of Gajapati district and killed two more persons, including a child, at a cashew orchard.

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