Forest watcher dies in jumbo attack; dept loses a ‘dedicated’ foot soldier

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: A forest watcher was attacked and killed by a wild elephant in Bandipur Tiger Reserve on Saturday. According to information reaching here, the deceased is Bommanna, 58, who was working in the Elephant Task Force.

The incident occurred when he had gone to drop his friend from Heranakodu Forest Camp at his home. While returning home with another forest watcher, a wild elephant attacked the duo near Sulekatte Forest Camp. While the other person managed to escape, Bommanna fell after which the jumbo attacked him and trampled him.

The forest watcher immediately informed his higher-ups and the critically injured Bommanna was being shifted to hospital when he succumbed to injuries on the way. The victime is survived by his wife and daughter. He was liked by everyone in the district due to his culinary skills and dedication to duty.

While others would hesitate to work in anti-poaching camps, he volunteered to work for many days without a break. In another incident, a cow rearer was killed by a jumbo near Sollepura Doddi village of Anekal taluk in Bengaluru Rural district He has gone missing in the last two days and his body was found on Thursday inside the forest. He has been identified as Alagappa, aged 50.

A cow had gone inside the forest and Alagappa had gone in search of it. This spot where he was killed comes under Bannerghatta Police Station limits. Villagers have demanded that the forest department capture the wild elephant.