An 18-year-old male elephant went berserk and crushed its mahout to death on the premises of Sri Ahobila Math in Selaiyur, on Wednesday.
Police sources said the incident occurred during the morning pooja at a temple inside the Math. The elephant, Malolan, could not be controlled by its mahout, R. Ganesan (21) of Kovilambakkam.
The senior mahout, Sivakumar (45), attempted to calm the animal down and tried to take it to its shelter. As they were trying to tie the animal, Ganesan accidentally fell and was crushed by the animal.
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Ganesan, who suffered injuries to his chest, was rushed to a private hospital in Tambaram, where the doctors pronounced him ‘brought dead’. The body was taken to Chromepet GH for post-mortem examination. The other mahout managed to bring the elephant under control a while later.
A spokesperson of the Math said the elephant was brought to the temple from Kerala, about 15 years ago.
“He is very calm and friendly with the mahouts and the others residing in the Math. Even when the 46 Jeeyar Swami arrived at the Math a couple of days ago, the elephant showed warmth and respect to him. We do not understand why this happened,” he said.
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Ganesan had taken the job only three months ago to assist his senior in handling the pachyderm, he added.
“A veterinarian from Arignar Anna Zoological Park was called for conducting a series of tests; the results showed no abnormality with the animal,” the spokesperson said.
A case has been registered by the Selaiyur police and further investigations are on.