Gadchiroli, October 25: In a tragic incident, a 23-year-old man was killed by a wild elephant while attempting to take a selfie in Kunghada forest. Shashikant Ramchandra Satre, an electrician from Chamorshi, ventured too close to the aggressive tusker known as CME3, leading to the fatal encounter. This tragic event marks the seventh fatality linked to CME3, who recently re-entered the area from neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

The incident occurred on October 24 when Satre, intrigued by reports of elephant movement, ventured approximately 600 meters into the forest to get a closer look at CME3. According to a Times of India report, witnesses described the moment as chaotic, with Satre failing to heed warnings about the elephant's aggressive behaviour. Despite being advised against approaching the animal, the young man attempted to capture a selfie, which ultimately led to his tragic demise when the elephant charged. Elephant Attack in Jashpur: Four Persons Trampled to Death by Tusker in Chhattisgarh.

CME3, a large and aggressive tusker, has become a source of concern for local authorities, with a history of attacks on humans. Maharashtra's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Vivek Khandekar, confirmed that this was not the first time CME3 had caused harm. In fact, it has been involved in several deadly encounters since entering Gadchiroli from Chhattisgarh. As a result, forest officials have issued warnings to nearby villages about the dangers of approaching wild elephants and have deployed teams to monitor the tusker's movements closely. Elephant Attack in Korba: Wild Tusker Enters Village, Tramples Woman and Cattle to Death in Chhattisgarh.

In the aftermath of this tragic event, local forest officials are emphasizing the importance of educating residents about wildlife safety. Measures are being taken to increase awareness in the community, urging villagers to stay vigilant and report any sightings of CME3 to prevent further incidents. With the harvesting season approaching and many agricultural fields in proximity to the forest, the situation remains critical.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 25, 2024 01:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).