Uppinangady : One Kushalappa Gowda from Pulikukku in Kodimbala village near Kadaba was killed in an attack by a wild elephant  on February 9, Saturday. His body was found in the Kumaradhara river. It is suspected that the wild elephant which was spotted in the area might have caught hold of  Gowda and flung him into the river

It is said, a wild elephant was spotted in Urumbia and Kodimbala the previous day terrorizing the locals. The rogue elephant had also killed a calf and destroyed cops and plantations. Locals had even complained to the forest department but of no avail.

Though initially it was suspected that a local resident named Nagesh might have been killed by the elephant, he was found at home and it was only when Kushalappa went missing all of a sudden that suspicion grew.

Forest authorities have assured compensation to the bereaved family of Gowda.