Thrissur: In a tragic incident, two people died due to a wild elephant attack in Vazhachal area of Thrissur district in Kerala. The deceased were identified as Satheesh (30) and Ambika (37), both natives of Vazhachal and belonged to Kadar tribal community. They both were staying inside the forest area to collect honey for the past three days, stated the Vazhachal Police. The elephant attacked them around 7 pm near the Athirappilly waterfall on Monday night.
The incident unfolded when a herd of elephants suddenly charged at the group. This caused panic and people started running away in different directions. While the group scattered, the wild tusker attacked Satheesh and Ambika as they were at the front. Their bodies were found during a search operation by Forest personnel and police on Tuesday. Satheesh was found lying on a rock, while Ambika’s body was recovered from the Chalakudy river.
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Two people died in a wild elephant attack in Vazhachal in Thrissur district. The deceased were identified as Satheesh and Ambika, natives of Vazhachal. They were staying inside the forest area to collect honey for the past three days: Vazhachal DFO
— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2025
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Notably, this marks the third case from the Athirappilly region. A tribal youth identified as Sebastian (20) was killed in an elephant attack on Sunday.
Kerala Forest Minister Orders Inquiry
Kerala Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran ordered an inquiry into the deaths of two tribal residents in Athirappilly region. The minister stressed that the exact cause of death needs to be examined through a detailed post-mortem examination and investigation. He called the incident as “unusual deaths.” He stated that the Chief Wildlife Warden has been directed to conduct a detailed probe and submit a report. Meanwhile, the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests has initiated a preliminary investigation on the instructions of the minister. “The cause of death must be conclusively established. Post-mortem arrangements have been made,” said Saseendran.
Concern Over Human-Wildlife Conflict
The number of people killed in wildlife attacks have raised significantly in Kerala. On April 9, a 52-year-old man, Elamblassery Jimmy, was injured in a wild elephant attack near his home in Vettilappara. It has caused outrage and triggered fear among residents who have demanded action from authorities. These incidents highlight the ongoing human- wildlife conflict in the forest areas of the state.
Tribal communities in the state are heavily dependent on forests for their livelihood. They visit forest to procure food items and other raw materials, which they sell in cities to earn money. The continuous wildlife attacks in the region has become a threat to the lives of people. If we look at the data, over 180 people who lost their lives due to wildlife attack in last eight years. In 2024, around 12 people died in such wildlife attacks.
The alarming number of incidents call for an effective measures by the government to prevent these attacks. Earlier, in February, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had called a high-level meeting to address the growing about human-wildlife conflict in the state.
Government should take measures to control the wildlife-human conflict and discuss ways to prevent such incidents in the future. Use of thermal drones, camera traps, live CCTV cameras, and radio collars, RRT vehicles should be increased to monitor animal movement. Funds should be allocated for construction and maintenance of physical barriers such as elephant proof trenches, walls, solar fencing and hanging fences.
