Kokkada, July 17, 2025: In a tragic incident on July 17, two wild elephants were spotted early in the morning at a geru (cashew) plantation in Gundi, near Southadka. While forest officials were attempting to drive the elephants away, one of the elephants turned aggressive and attacked a passerby.
The victim, identified as Balakrishna Shetty, a resident of Southadka, was fatally gored by the elephant’s tusk. He sustained severe injuries and died on the spot. Forest department personnel had arrived at the location after the elephants were seen roaming in the plantation, but the attack occurred during the efforts to chase them away.