Wild elephant, calf fatally struck by train near Walayar on Kerala-Tamil Nadu border

file image for representation | Photo Credit: K.K. Mustafah A wild elephant and its calf were killed after being hit by the Mangaluru-Chennai Superfast Express near Puduppathy at Chavadippara on the Walayar-Palakkad forest stretch early on Thursday (August 13, 2026).The accident occurred around 12.30 a.m. on the Tamil Nadu side of the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. Both elephants became trapped under the locomotive, disrupting train services for several hours.Forest officials and the police, including personnel from the Walayar forest range, reached the spot and led efforts to remove the carcasses and clear the track.A veterinary team from Thrissur, including a veterinary surgeon, reached the site to conduct the post-mortem examination. Forest officials from Tamil Nadu also arrived at the scene.In February, another elephant was killed after being hit by a train near Walayar.Trains operating on the stretch at night travel at reduced speeds because of the presence of elephants and other wildlife. Published - August 13, 2026 09:52 am IST