Elephant on Rampage Kills Mahout in Palakkad, Kerala

On February 6, 2025 (Thursday) at 11:45 PM, an elephant went on a rampage in Palakkad district, Kerala, killing its 50-year-old mahout, Kunjumon Ibrahim, and injuring another person. The incident took place near a Koottanad mosque after the Gaja Sangam ceremony.

Eyewitnesses said the elephant, Vallamkulam Narayanan Kutty, suddenly turned on its mahout while returning from the event, trampling him on the Koottanad-Tannirkode Road. Three people were riding the elephant at the time—one jumped onto an autorickshaw and escaped, while two others fell but managed to flee.

The elephant then damaged several vehicles, including ten bikes and five autorickshaws, before being restrained. Authorities later moved the animal from the scene, and police have launched an investigation.