A 72-year-old woman was killed by an elephant in an estate belonging to Tantea near Gudalur, about 80 km from here in early hours today, police said.
The woman, who was sleeping in her house, came out after hearing some sound outside and the elephant, which was near the door, attacked her.
Hearing the screams, the neighbours came out and managed to scare away the pachyderm, police said.
The woman died on way to Gudalur Government Hospital, they said.
