Tamil Nadu: Kumki attacks mahout at elephant camp

COIMBATORE: Suyambu, a kumki (trained elephant) housed at the Kozhikamuthi elephant camp in Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), attacked its mahout on Thursday.

The elephant, which was chained as it was in musth, attacked Prasath, 48, while he was attempting to feed it, a forest department official said. “Suyambu pushed him down and he suffered fracture to the right leg. He was admitted to a private hospital at Ambarampalayam in Pollachi.”

The department has been using Suyambu to capture wild elephants and chase them away from human habitations. Prasath has been working at the camp for the last 25 years. Kozhikamuthi camp has 23 captive elephants.