A wild elephant damaged a Forest department vehicle carrying five personnel in the residential area of the Aralam farm early on Saturday (June 27).

All five staff members escaped with minor injuries after they abandoned the vehicle as the elephant charged at them. The incident occurred during routine patrol operations by the department’s rapid response team.

The rogue tusker, known for repeatedly straying into the area, charged at the vehicle and smashed it.

Forest officials said the staff spotted the animal approaching and managed to jump out of the vehicle and run to safety moments before it attacked the vehicle, averting a tragedy. The injured staff sustained only minor injuries.

Wild elephant intrusion continues to pose a serious threat in the Pookundu area of the Aralam farm despite regular efforts by the Forest department to drive the animal back into the forest.

Residents have intensified their criticism of the State government, alleging that long-pending mitigation measures, including the construction of elephant-proof barriers, remain incomplete despite repeated elephant attacks in the area.

According to residents, 16 people have been killed in wild elephant attacks in Aralam farm over the past several years.