Jumbo tramples woman to death

HASSAN: A woman was trampled to death, while four others escaped when a wild elephant attacked them in the outskirts of Yadakeri village in Sakleshpur taluk on Tuesday.The deceased has been identified as Vanajakshi, 48, wife of Malliah of the same village. The incident occurred when Vanajakshi and the others were returning from a coffee estate.The elephant was sighted 10 yards ahead and began to chase them. Vanajakshi slipped and fell while trying to escape.The jumbo picked her up and threw her for fifty yards before trampling her, eyewitnesses said.The villagers and kin refused to lift her body demanding compensation.The angry villagers also insisted that senior forest officials visit the spot.It may be recalled that a herd of 22 wild elephants, with three calves, were roaming in 15 villages in Sakleshpur taluk for the last one week.  Big Cat Trapped in HassanHASSAN: A leopard, which was caught in a net on the wee hours of Tuesday, was battling for life in Magodu village of Arkalgud taluk. Despite being informed early morning, forest officials have not visited the spot to rescue the leopard.The big cat got trapped in a polythene net set up by poachers, who were hunting for wild pigs.Forest staff from Arkalgud said they had informed veterinarians from Hunsur forest range.“We cannot rescue the big cat without first aid and tranquillisers.We don’t have a cage to transport the animal after tranquillising it” they explained. However, neither the veterinarians nor the cage reached the spot till 5.30 pm. People from adjacent villagers thronged to Magodu to watch the action.Police had a tough time in maintaining order.