A mahout and his assistant have died following an elephant attack involving an elephant brought for the 78th Poson Perahera (procession) at the Rakwana Sri Ubhaya Thilakarama Viharaya.
Two elephants brought for the procession held on June 20 had been tethered near the temple premises. This morning, the assistant mahout had taken one of the elephants to the Rakwana River to provide it with water, said Ada Derana reporter.
It is reported that the elephant became agitated at the time and attacked the assistant mahout, trampling him to death.
Upon hearing the assistant mahout’s cries for help, the chief mahout rushed to the scene. He too was attacked by the elephant and died at the location, said Ada Derana reporter.
Following the incident, the elephant fled into a paddy field near the temple.
Wildlife officers have arrived at the scene and are reportedly taking necessary measures to tranquilize and capture the elephant.
