National Project Tiger Director Manikantan killed in elephant attack

Team Udayavani, Mar 4, 2018, 11:45 AM IST

Mysuru: The Director of the National Tiger Project S Manikantan was killed in a wild elephant attack near the Balle camp in Nagarhole on March 3.

The incident took place when Manikantan was travelling in a jeep along with the other forest staff in the Nagarhole Forest Reserve. He was unaware of the attack by the elephant and lost his life when the tusker trampled him to death before the other staffs could open fire.

Forest authorities credit him for controlling tourism in Nagarahole tiger reserve. Not long after he took charge in 2016-17, he controlled the development of safari from Nagarahole to Nanchi and moved the movement of safari from Nagarahole to Veeranahosahalli. This guaranteed the weight from safari is diminished and the reserve is secured.

Elephant expert Ajai Desai said the staffs’ consideration was on the burnt zone while the tusker stopped in the bushes. DB Kuppe is a decent zone for elephants now, in view of water. It is additionally possible that the creature could have been in musth or got terrified of the commotion. It will be uncalled for if the elephant is caught.