Mandya: A forest watcher was trampled to death by a tusker at Solaba beat of Halagoor range in Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary coming under Mandya district, early Thursday.
The forest personnel had gone to drive a tusker back to the forest from a nearby field. The incident is said to have occurred around 3.30 am. The deceased has been identified as Mahadev, who has been working since 2013. It is said that a tusker used to enter the fields from the forest and though villagers had complained to the forest officials they alleged they had not taken any action.
Later, forest personnel from anti-poaching camp were deputed to drive the jumbo and prevent it from entering the village.
On Thursday, while forest personnel were engaged in driving the tusker back to the forest it attacked Mahadev.
Though he was shifted to a hospital by his colleagues, he succumbed to his injuries.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Manjunath told Deccan Chronicle that a post-mortem was conducted and ex-gratia will be paid to the bereaved family.
