Idukki (Keralam) | A 29-year-old Madhya Pradesh native died after being attacked by a wild elephant at Santhanpara here, police said on Friday.

The deceased was identified as Sivakumar, a native of Dindori in Madhya Pradesh, who worked at a cardamom plantation here.

According to police, around 8.30 pm on Thursday, Sivakumar and his friend were walking along the Njangalar-Company Estate Road in Santhanpara when they came face-to-face with a wild elephant that had strayed into the area.

While Sivakumar's friend managed to flee, the elephant attacked Sivakumar, causing serious injuries.

Residents soon gathered at the spot after the elephant left and found Sivakumar dead, police said.

Santhanpara police registered a case of unnatural death on Friday and started an investigation.

Residents alleged that wild elephants frequently strayed close to houses in the area and that no permanent solution had been found despite repeated complaints to the authorities.

Forest department officials are monitoring the movement of the elephant and taking steps to drive it back into the forest, officials said.