A wild elephant that has terrorised villages and destroyed dozens of homes, shops and cars in recent months in India has killed an eleventh man over the weekend, according to local reports.
The elephant, named Arikomban, had wreaked havoc on the town of Cumbum in the state of Tamil Nadu in recent days.
Authorities in the area had urged residents to stay indoors over the weekend as they attempted to tranquilise and relocate the elephant.
Officials also stopped electricity and public transport while the elephant made its way through the town.
The man who was killed was an autorickshaw driver, who was in his vehicle when the elephant destroyed it.
He escaped but suffered a severe head injury and internal bleeding after falling while trying to run away from the elephant.
The animal also injured at least three other people.
It has since retreated into forests in the area.
In recent years, it is believed that Arikomban has killed a total of 11 people and destroyed around 300 houses and shops in the southern Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
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The elephant’s name can be translated to “rice tusker” in the language Malayalam, spoken in Kerala.
He earned his name as he often raided local shops and kitchens for rice.
Arikomban was also subject to a case at Kerala High Court taken by angry residents calling for the local government to deal with the recurring elephant attacks.
A feature film about the elephant’s life is also under development.
