A SCHOOL girl has tragically died after being trampled by a wild elephant in front of her parents.
The 17-year-old girl’s horrific death has triggered angry demonstrations demanding stronger protection for victims of animal attacks.
Pooja, a 17-year-old student was trampled to death by an elephant as she walked home from schoolCredit: Unknown
The elephant charged at her from behind in the Karnataka’s Kodagu district in southern India (stock photo)Credit: AFP
Pooja was on her way home in Karnataka’s Kodagu district in southern India when the elephant charged at her from behind.
Caught beneath the giant animal’s feet, the St Michael’s College student was trampled to death, according to The Hindu.
Her mother – Devaki – heard her daughter’s anguished cries from their home in the Bettathuru village, but could not intervene.
Pooja’s father Girish arrived moments later, finding her lying in a pool of blood, The Indian Express reported.
She was rushed to the Government Hospital in Madikeri, however, died before receiving treatment.
Pooja’s remains have been kept in the hospital, awaiting an autopsy.
Following the attack on Saturday, news of Pooja’s death spread quickly.
Villagers, farmer groups and local political supporters blocked National Highway 275 near Madenadu the following day for more than two hours.
The huge demonstration caused hours of traffic chaos.
Protesters demanded immediate government action to reduce wildlife attacks.
District Forest Officer Abhishek visited Pooja’s family and assured them that the offending elephant would be tracked down and captured.
Authorities have since announced that Pooja’s relatives will receive £16,500 (Rs 20 lakh) in compensation for her death.
In the last five years, 254 people have died in wild animal attacks, according to the Karnataka forest department figures, with 42 deaths recorded in the last 12 months.
Elephants, tigers and leopards are responsible for an estimated 70 per cent of those deaths.
The Kodagu area is known for coffee plantations and forested terrain.
Human-wildlife conflict has plagued the region as settlements continue to expand and push into elephant corridors.
This latest tragedy has reignited debate over conservation policies and safety measures, with locals urging the government to balance wildlife protection with human security.
The fatal animal attack comes after a man was thrown to the ground by another outraged elephant at the Valiyavilakku festival in Kerala, India, leaving him seriously injured.
The animal had been adorned with colourful decorations and chains around its legs when it lowered itself so a man could climb onto its back.
As he scaled the side of the elephant, two others steadied the animal, where one man gripped its tusk.
Within seconds of the man settling on top, the elephant suddenly turned on one of the helpers.
Wrapping its trunk around the man’s leg, it hoisted him into the air as terrified onlookers screamed in fear.
The elephant then forcefully flung the man aside.
The victim, identified only as Vivek, was rushed to a nearby hospital, in a serious condition.
