President of India paid tribute to S Manikandan (IFS:2001:KN), Conservator of Forests and Director of Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, who suffered a tragic death on World Wildlife Day after being crushed by a wild elephant. The officer was briefing his colleagues when a lone tusker came from behind and charged at the group. Manikandan lost his balance and failed to escape and he was trampled by the jumbo. He was credited with reducing incidents of man-animal conflicts, among many other achievements. Before securing IFS rank he served as a faculty in the Institute of Wood Science and Technology. Following the incident questions have been raised if the foresters followed the standard protocol of carrying firearms while entering the forest.