A tribal youth was trampled to death by a wild elephant at Vadakkanadu under the Kurichyad range of forest of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) on Sunday night.
The deceased was identified as Rajan, 32, of the Manalimoola Kattunayakka tribal hamlet at Pallivayal in Wayanad district.
Rajan went missing on Sunday night and his body was found near a forest path to the hamlet on Monday morning in a search by the villagers.
A wild elephant attacked Rajan while he was returning home after purchasing provisions from a shop at Vadakkanad, sanctuary officials said.
Rajan is survived by wife Bindu and four children.
The villagers detained a group of forest personnel at Vadakkanadu on Monday morning seeking protection from recurring attacks by wild animals.
They demanded compensation and job for a family member of the deceased. The marauding tusker should be captured and translocated as it was a habitual crop raider and posed a threat to the villagers, they said.
The forest officers, led by Warden P. Dhaneshkumar and Assistant Wildlife Warden Ajith K. Raman, were detained for around four hours by the villagers.
A police team led by Sulthan Bathery Circle Inspector K. Sunilkumar reached the site to maintain law and order situation.
Later, Mr. Dhaneshkumar held discussions with local leaders and gave an assurance that a solatium of Rs. 5 lakh and job would be provided to the kin of the deceased. He also agreed to take up their demand with the government.
He also assured them that patrolling would be intensified and repair of the power fence would be expedited in the area.
