Human-elephant conflict in Kerala

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Human-elephant conflict (HEC) [1] [2] is a serious threat to wild elephants and humans in some rural forest and forest border areas of Kerala, India. Every year more than 100 wild elephants die in Kerala of various causes, including HEC cases of electrocution, poaching, firecrackers, poisoning, and train hits, while about 20 people are killed and more injured. [3] [4]

Contents

Estimates of the number of wild elephants in Kerala vary, with the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department estimating that there were just under 1,800 wild elephants in the state in 2024. [5] Prior estimates (using different estimation techniques) include 4,286 wild elephants according to a 1993 census, and 5,706 according to a 2017 census. [6] [7] [8] There appears to be some confusion as to which estimates are most reliable, with factors such as elephant migration patterns to nearby states potentially affecting wild elephant counts.

Background

Kerala has a vast forest area of 11,309 km2 (4,366 sq mi), which covers more than 29.1% of the total geographical area of the state. [9] Human–wildlife conflict (due to various species) is common on the fringes of forested areas. Due to the significant increase in human population and development, which brings increasing anthropogenic pressure on the forest areas, human-wildlife interaction and conflict have increased in recent times. [10] The conflicts have resulted in damage to crops, houses and property, cattle being carried away, and deaths and injuries to humans. More than 50 wild elephant attacks were reported in the state in the financial year 2024–25, and the number of deaths due to wild elephant attacks in the state has increased. [11] [12]

Activism

Activists such as Rajeev Kurup of the Kerala Elephant Foundation have worked extensively to raise awareness of the plight of elephants in Kerala and southern India, including wild elephant injuries and deaths arising from HEC or other causes. [13] The related project Kerala Suffering Elephants documents many such incidents for the sake of improving conditions and outcomes for elephants in Kerala and India. [14]

Incidents in 2025

Human HEC deaths in Kerala in 2025

Protests

Some locals and various political and cultural organizations [26] are continuing their protests against the lack of a solution to the elephant attacks in Kerala near areas where elephant attacks have happened. [27] [28] [29]

On 24 February 2025, protesters and villagers in Aralam blocked an ambulance carrying the bodies of a couple killed in a wild elephant attack. The protesters refused to let the ambulance through until Kerala Forest Minister A. K. Saseendran arrived. [30]

Elephants in Kerala

Along with a considerable population of wild elephants, Kerala has about 400 captive elephants, down from more than 500 in 2018. [31] Most captive elephants in Kerala are owned by temples and individuals, with some owned by the local forest department. Elephants are owned and maintained predominantly for their use in festivals and ceremonies, but some are also involved in timber logging.

See also

References

  1. "Human-Elephant Conflict in Kerala, India: a Rapid Appraisal Using Compensation Records | Request PDF".
  2. "Human Wildlife Conflict: A Case Study in Kerala".
  3. "Public Policy and Human-Animal Conflicts: Elephant Deaths in Kerala". ras.org.in. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  4. Thampi, Bharath (5 September 2025). "Kerala's Human-Elephant 'Conflict': Time to Understand a Complex Relationship". Culture Unplugged.
  5. Viswanathan, Manoj (2025-08-13). "Diseases, fights take a toll on wild jumbos in Kerala". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  6. "ആനകളുടെ എണ്ണം കേരളത്തില്‍ വര്‍ധിക്കുന്നുവെന്ന് ആന സെന്‍സസ്". www.mediaoneonline.com. June 7, 2020.
  7. "Elephant population in Kerala declines". The Hindu. July 16, 2024.
  8. "Human-elephant conflicts led to 126 deaths in Kerala in last 6 years, reveals report". English.Mathrubhumi. September 1, 2021.
  9. "Resources: Forest – Status of Environment related issues: Kerala ENVIS Centre, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India". www.kerenvis.nic.in. Archived from the original on 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  10. "486 people killed in wild animal attacks in Kerala during the last five years". The Hindu. 2024-07-25. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  11. "Most wild elephant attack deaths inside reserve forest areas, says Forest dept. data; farmers groups oppose claim". The Hindu. January 7, 2025 via www.thehindu.com.
  12. Shankar, Priyanka (July 14, 2023). "Kerala needs long-term plans, not quick fixes, for human-elephant conflict". Mongabay-India.
  13. "About". Kerala Elephant Foundation. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  14. "Kerala Suffering Elephants". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 2022-08-04. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  15. "Elephant Ragdolls Man At Kerala Festival In Horrifying Video". www.ndtv.com.
  16. "Wild elephant tramples woman to death in Kerala's Malappuram, second this month". The New Indian Express. January 16, 2025.
  17. "Youth killed in wild elephant attack in Wayanad on second consecutive day". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  18. "Tribal Youth Killed In Wild Elephant Attack In Wayanad, Fourth Case In 72 Hours". ETV Bharat News. February 12, 2025.
  19. "Man dies in suspected wild elephant attack in Kerala's Wayanad". Deccan Herald.
  20. "60-Year-Old Man Killed in Wild Elephant Attack in Kerala". www.deccanchronicle.com. February 6, 2025.
  21. "Three killed in Kerala as two elephants run amok during temple festival at Koyilandy". The Hindu. February 13, 2025 via www.thehindu.com.
  22. "India: Elderly couple trampled to death by wild elephant in Kerala". Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema. February 24, 2025.
  23. "Elderly couple killed in wild elephant attack at Aralam farm". The Hindu. February 23, 2025 via www.thehindu.com.
  24. "Elderly couple killed in wild elephant attack in Kerala's Kannur". Deccan Herald.
  25. "Elephant tramples couple to death in state-owned farm in Kerala's Kannur". India Today. February 24, 2025.
  26. "Cong holds protests in front of forest office". The Times of India. October 11, 2024 via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
  27. "Elephant attack deaths in Kerala's Aralam sparks protest as locals demand action". Deccan Herald.
  28. Naha, Abdul Latheef (January 23, 2025). "Elephant falls into well in Kerala; protest delays rescue efforts". The Hindu via www.thehindu.com.
  29. "Second elephant attack death in Wayanad in two days sparks outrage in Kerala". India Today. February 12, 2025.
  30. "Aralam wild elephant attack: Protesters block ambulance carrying bodies". Aralam wild elephant attack: Protesters block ambulance carrying bodies.
  31. "Kerala's captive elephant population dips to 389". The Hindu. 2025-03-10. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2025-09-27.