A wild elephant trampled to death the owner of a private lodge in Alipurduar early on Tuesday morning.

Sources said the incident took place at Uttar Simlabari village that is adjacent to Chilapata forest and under Alipurduar–I block.

Around 4am, a lone tusker came out of Chilapata forest and damaged a hut at Deodanga of Simlabari. The animal then entered a paddy field adjacent to a private lodge.

According to sources, 30-year-old Kingshuk Karjee, who owns the lodge, came out with four others and tried to drive the animal away.

“The elephant, however, retaliated and gave them a chase. Others managed to escape but it grabbed Kingshuk with its trunk and then trampled him to death. Later, it then went back to the forest,” said a source.

The locals then informed the foresters and a team reached the spot.

“It is an unfortunate incident. Kingshuk died while trying to drive away the elephant from the agricultural field. The department will provide the stipulated compensation (of ₹5 lakh) to the bereaved family,” said Sudipta Ghosh, the range officer of Chilapata forest range.

In another incident, a wild elephant came out of the Gorumara National Park early on Tuesday morning and damaged six houses in Uttar Dhupjhora area under Matiali block of Jalpaiguri.

Sources said the elephant strayed into the village in search of food around 2am. Also, it was raining heavily then.

It then damaged the houses and later, walked into the Panjhora forest.

The affected families have demanded compensation from the forest department.

Leopard attack

Subal Roy, a 51-year-old farmer got injured in a leopard attack in Falakata block of Alipurduar on Tuesday.

He is under treatment at Birpara state general hospital.

Sources said Roy, who stays in Chandnikura village, was working in the field. Around 6am, he spotted a leopard lying on the ground.

As he retreated, the leopard attacked him and mauled his back. Roy raised an alert and locals rushed him to the hospital.

Foresters were informed and a team reached the spot. They have laid a cage in the areas to trap the animal, sources said.

Pangolin rescued

A pangolin was rescued from Demka Jhora, a locality in Malbazar block of Jalpaiguri on Tuesday afternoon.

Locals said over the past few days, poultry were going missing in the village.

On Tuesday, some of them spotted the animal near a pond. They caught it and informed the foresters.

Later, the pangolin was handed over to foresters of Malbazar wildlife squad.