Elephant Succumbs During Temple Festival Ritual in Malappuram
A captive elephant collapsed and died early on Wednesday while participating in a temple festival in Malappuram district. The incident occurred at the Ayyappa temple located in Nerumkaithakotta near Vallikkunnu.
Ritual Bath Turns Tragic
The elephant, known as Balussery Gajendran, was being bathed as part of a traditional ritual when it suddenly fell to the ground. Temple staff and onlookers witnessed the distressing moment as the large animal lost consciousness during the ceremonial washing.
Local authorities responded quickly to the emergency situation. Parappanangadi police officers arrived at the temple premises along with forest department officials. They secured the area and began necessary procedures to document the incident.
Medical Examination and Investigation
A team of veterinary doctors examined the elephant immediately after the collapse. Despite their efforts, the animal could not be revived. The Assistant Conservator of Forests for Malappuram social forestry confirmed the unfortunate outcome.
The elephant's body has been transported to Kanjikode for detailed examination. A postmortem procedure is scheduled for Thursday to determine the precise cause of death. Officials emphasize that only the autopsy results will provide definitive answers about what led to the elephant's sudden demise.
Owner and Background Details
Balussery Gajendran was owned by Prabhakaran from Balussery. The elephant had been brought specifically to participate in the temple festival activities. Such ceremonial appearances are common during religious festivals across Kerala, though this particular event ended in tragedy.
Forest department officials continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the elephant's death. They are examining whether the animal showed any signs of distress prior to the ritual bath or if underlying health conditions contributed to the collapse.
