Home / Disasters and Accidents / Mahout's Family Awaits Compensation After Tragic Elephant Attack
Mahout's Family Awaits Compensation After Tragic Elephant Attack
26 Mar
Summary
- SHRC ordered immediate issuance of legal heir certificate for compensation.
- Rs 13 lakh compensation remains pending for mahout's grieving family.
- Mahout Vishnu died after being attacked by an elephant at Kottoor Centre.
The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has intervened, urging officials to expedite the issuance of a legal heir certificate for the family of V Vishnu. Vishnu, a 27-year-old mahout, tragically died on February 5, 2026, after being attacked by an elephant named Manu at the Kottoor Elephant Rehabilitation Centre.
The commission, acting on media reports, seeks to ensure Vishnu's family receives the remaining Rs 13 lakh of the Rs 18.5 lakh total compensation. Vishnu, who had worked as a daily-wage mahout since 2018, was the primary handler of Manu.
While an initial Rs 50,000 in immediate financial assistance has been disbursed, further compensation from insurance schemes and a Rs 10 lakh government sanction for wildlife attack deaths is contingent upon the submission of the legal heir certificate and other required documents.
The fatal incident occurred on February 5, 2026, while Vishnu was bathing elephants at the Neyyar reservoir. The elephant, Manu, reportedly became agitated and attacked him, pushing him underwater.
