Rairakhol: A wild elephant gored to death a tribal man on Monday in a forest-side village of Sambalpur district.

The incident occurred at Mundasahi village under the Badamala forest range in the district.

The victim, identified as one Sripati Munda, had been to the forest to collect fuel wood when the wild tusker came from nowhere and trampled him to death, a forest official said.

The village, where the incident was reported, is close to the elephants' habitation corridor.

The wild elephants stray into the village to devour the crop field, which leads to frequent outbreak of man-elephant conflicts, said a wildlife enthusiast.

The next kin of the bereaved family is being covered Rs 4 lakh ex gratia, according to the rule prescribed for human death in attack by protected animals, said the official.