Kannur (Kerala) | Five forest officials had a narrow escape after a wild elephant attacked a RRT vehicle during a patrol in the Aralam tribal region in this north Kerala district early on Saturday, officials said.

The incident occurred at Pookkundu when the "mozha" elephant, known to be a habitual troublemaker in the area, charged at the patrol vehicle of the Rapid Response Team (RRT), they said.

"Mozha" elephant, or "makhna" is a tuskless male Asian elephant.

All five personnel in the vehicle escaped without serious injuries, though the vehicle sustained damage in the attack, they said.

The incident occurred when the Kerala Forest Department is implementing a comprehensive action plan to tackle the rising incidents of wildlife menace and human-animal conflict in forest fringe areas across the state.