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Drunken elephant accused of killing 20

Jun 11, 2004 10:08 PM

An Indian elephant blamed for killing more than 20 people while on drunken rampages has won a last minute reprieve from death.

Villagers in the hills near Jameshedpur town, in the eastern state of Jharkhand, said the elephant had trampled to death at least 20 people in the past five months.

But wildlife officials ruled there was insufficient proof of its guilt as there are at least 18 other similar size elephants in te area.

"The death penalty on the basis of hearsay will be unkind towards the animal," said chief wildlife warden UR Biswas.

Forest officials will, however, film the suspect elephant's movements, Biswas said.

The forestry department has asked a group of "tracers" to investigate whether it was indeed the elephant which killed the 20 people.

The department has also ordered fencing to segregate the human settlement from the elephants' habitat.

Officials say the elephants are drawn to villages by the smell of a local brew made from wild fruit.

They say the elephants attack the liquor stalls, get drunk and trample anyone who gets in their way.