A farmer in Salima district was brutally trampled to death by an elephant from Thuma Forest-the horrific attack has brought fear among people farming closer to the forest.
Police in the district identified the deceased as a 55 year old man Enuya Enali of Mkwatire village T/A Kambwiri in Salima.
Salima district police public relations officer, Sub Inspector Gift Chitowe, explained that the shocking incident took place near Thuma Forest Reserve in the evening of April 30 2016 around 17:00 hours.
"The deceased was in his garden slashing maize stalks when a charged elephant suddenly emerged and attacked him to death" said Chitowe while indicating that the deceased garden borders with Thuma Forest Reserve
He said people from neighboring farms who witnessed the incident tried in vain to prevent the attack by ringing bells and blowing whistles just to fend-off the animal and also to send warning to others about the incoming danger.
"One of the eyewitness said they saw the deceased trying to escape while shouting for help. They blew whistles and rung bells just to scare-off the elephant as well warning each other to run away. Unfortunately the elephant appeared too close from his behind and it trampled him" narrates Chitowe
Chitowe said the deceased was pronounced dead at the scene and he suffered severe injuries as his body was trumpled to pieces.
This is a fourth attack in a period of three years since the fence surrounding the forest was ransacked.
According to Chitowe, elephants from Thuma forest are on loose because the fence surrounding the forest was vandalized by communities around the forest who wanted an easy access into the forest to cut down trees for making charcoal.
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