Kerala tusker attack: Local residents in the grip of fear as elephant roams free

Residents say recurring elephant invasion has made life difficult for people in the area

“Authorities should open their eyes at least now. Not another family should lose a dear one like we did,” said Swapna, sister of Eldhose who was trampled to death at Urulanthanni in Kuttampuzha panchayat on Monday (December 16, 2024) night.

She said that the recurring elephant invasion has made life difficult for people in the area. Swapna could hardly make herself take a look at her brother’s body, which was mutilated beyond recognition.

Varghese, the father of the deceased, was still not able to come to terms with his son’s death. Eldhose, he said, was returning after being away for a month on work. The family did not know that he was coming home on Monday. “There is no work to be found here,” Varghese said.

Manesh, one of the first to witness the body, is yet to recover from the shock. “It seemed like the elephant had repeatedly knocked him around. I was too shocked and scared to even cry out for help,” he said. Manesh had returned to a shop in the area to collect an item he had left behind. He later informed the autorickshaw operators in the area.

Suresh, an autorickshaw driver, who was returning through the area after a trip claimed that the elephant charged at him and that he was fortunate to escape unhurt. He said that he reversed the autorickshaw at great speed, turned around and sped away. Eldhose and he used to be classmates.

A constant presence

Reportedly, the wild tusker that killed Eldhose has been a constant presence in the area for a couple of years. “There have been instances in which it had chased people and, one time, even the local KSRTC bus operating in the area. People have been fortunate to escape unhurt. Unlike the herds of elephants that retreat on making noise, this one which roams around alone is more aggressive. Instead of retreating, it turns around to attack,” said Mukundan, a local resident.

Mani, another local resident, said that agriculture, one of the mainstays of the local economy in the area, has become difficult in the face of recurring elephant invasions. “People are now forced to give up farming and go outside in search of jobs,” he said. Though in the habit of early morning walks, Mani makes it a point not to take any unlit stretch.

Published - December 17, 2024 10:19 am IST