Wayanad village mourns death of 70-year-old wild elephant Lakshmi
In Wayanad's Chandroth Unnathi village, everyone is feeling the loss of Lakshmi, a 70-year-old wild elephant who was part of the community.
Forest officials found her lifeless near the settlement on Wednesday morning, and while they are still figuring out what happened, villagers are heartbroken.
Unlike most wild elephants, Lakshmi would hang out peacefully near homes and was welcomed with jackfruit and mangoes. Children especially looked forward to her visits.
Lakshmi's death highlights coexistence challenges
Lakshmi's calm nature made her a symbol of harmony in a place where human-wildlife conflicts are common.
Her passing is a tough reminder of how tricky it can be for people and animals to share space, and locals hope her memory sparks better ways to live alongside wildlife in the future.