Missing Bijnor man found dead; elephant attack suspected

Bijnor: A 40-year-old man from Afzalgarh, missing for nearly one-and-a-half months, was found dead near Shiv Temple in New Colony area of Kalagarh on Sunday night, with forest officials suspecting that he may have been killed in an elephant attack.

His family identified him as Ismail, son of Akhtar, at Kotdwar post-mortem house.Officials said Ismail, who was unmarried and suffered from mental illness, may have wandered into the path of a herd of elephants moving between the forests of Corbett Tiger Reserve and nearby settlements. Forest staff said four elephants had been frequently entering residential areas around Kalagarh in recent days, apparently searching for mangoes, increasing concern among local residents.Kalagarh ranger Nand Kishore Ruwali said the exact cause of death would be known after examination and inquiry. “It is yet to be ascertained whether he was killed by an elephant. Following the incident, surveillance has been intensified and camera traps are being installed. Residents have been advised to avoid isolated areas and keep a safe distance from wildlife,” he said.Forest officials said teams were monitoring elephant movement near the settlement and warning residents not to move alone through isolated patches, especially during the evening and night hours. The area lies close to forested stretches used by elephants moving between Corbett Tiger Reserve and adjoining villages, where seasonal fruiting often brings them near human habitation.