# Elephant and calf killed by train near Kerala-Tamil Nadu border

2026-08-13T06:52:31+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

A wild elephant and its calf were killed when the Mangaluru-Chennai Superfast Express hit them near Puduppathy on the Walayar-Palakkad forest stretch around 12.30 am on Thursday. The accident occurred on the Tamil Nadu side of the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, disrupting train services for hours. Carcasses were dragged nearly 50 metres along the track. Kerala and Tamil Nadu forest officials, including Walayar range officer R.S. Praveen and railway DRM Madhukar Raut, inspected the site. The New Indian Express reports that railway fencing in the area is under construction. Trains on this stretch already travel at reduced speeds at night due to wildlife presence. In February, another elephant was killed by a train near Walayar.

## Coverage

- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/wild-elephant-calf-fatally-struck-by-train-near-walayar/article71339425.ece>
- newindianexpress.com <https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2026/Aug/13/elephant-calf-killed-by-train-near-keralas-walayar-traffic-disrupted-for-hours>

Tags: elephant death, forest department, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, train accident, wildlife corridor
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