Wayanad (Kerala): Maniyan, a popular and friendly wild elephant in the hills of Wayanad, who was fed by local residents of Irulam village, was killed by another untamed wild elephant in Kurichiyad Range of Kerala's hilly district on Friday night.
According to reports, the local residents found the carcass near Pullumala and they informed the Forest Department officials regarding the same.
Maniyan was a regular visitor to the village which is located near Pulpally town, and the villagers found the tusker with wounds to the chest and brain.
According to the locals, Maniyan was very friendly and often use to eat food provided by them.
"People heard two elephants fighting in the forest and informed the forest rescue team. We conducted the search and found the carcass," a forest official said.
"At the first sight, it is believed that Maniyam succumbed to his injuries," forest officer stated.
The carcass has been sent for post mortem.
Maniyan is the same elephant who got timely treatment from forest department authorities in the year 2017. The forest officials removed the steel wire of the snare trap which was found lodged deep in its left front leg.
The elephant had been limping around in the forest fringes in acute pain, following which the department decided to treat it after chemical immobilization.
Over the years Maniyam became a pet to the villagers living near the forest range who used to hand feed it.
Maniyan on his part had been returning the affection by abstaining from crop raiding.
