PUC student killed in elephant attack in Kodagu

A Pre University College (PUC) student was killed in a wild elephant attack at Bettathuru village in Madikeri taluk of Kodagu district on Saturday (February 28, 2026) evening.

The deceased identified as Pooja, 17, daughter of Girish of Bettathuru village, and a student of St Michael’s College in Madikeri, was attacked by the elephant after she reached her village by bus on Saturday evening.

While she was walking towards her house, Pooja was suddenly attacked by the wild elephant. A severely injured Pooja was rushed to the hospital, but she died enroute, according to sources.

Bettathuru village is on the fringes of the forest and the deceased girl’s house was barely 100 metres from the forest area. 

The student’s death has sparked an outrage among the villagers, who have expressed their anger against the Forest Department for failing to curb the menace despite bringing the matter to their notice several times in the past.