Elephant attack: 4 killed in 15 days

Wild animal attacks have reached a peak in the Nilambur Forest Division in recent months. The situation is no different in other forest areas in the state with four persons being killed by elephants in the last 15 days at various places -- Mullil in Palakkad, Valpara in Thrissur and Kalikavu near here. According to experts, elephants have become more hostile towards humans recently.

Jayaprakash, director, Nature Education Centre, Nilambur, has said that some of the elephants in the area are roaming around with bullets in their bodies.

“Earlier, the elephants were not this much hostile towards humans. They have started to react to the attacks against them. Now, the elephants are considering humans as a threat to them and are attacking us for self-defence,” Jayaprakash said.

Besides, December-May is the mating season of elephants.  The tuskers who do not get a mate usually become violent. Shortage of water in the forest area and the cultivation of fruits near forests are attracting the elephants to farmlands. Environmental activists point out that there is also an increase in the number of elephants in Kerala forests. According to the elephant census published last year, the forests in the state house around 5,900 elephants.

“There is 756 sq km forest land under both the forest divisions in Nilambur. Almost the entire area is under threat from elephants. The solar fencing is not effective as the elephants are breaking it. The dept will convene a meeting soon to chalk out a plan to end the crisis,” said Rajan, Nilambur South Divisional Forest Officer.