Wild elephant attack claims life of farm labourer
Hanur
A tragic incident of human–wildlife conflict was reported from the Jallipalya forest area in Hanur taluk, where a wild elephant attack claimed the life of a farm labourer. The deceased has been identified as Shivamoorthy (50), a resident of Makanapalya village in Tamil Nadu.
According to officials, Shivamoorthy was working as a daily wage labourer engaged in banana harvesting in and around the Jallipalya region. After completing his work for the day, he was returning to his native village on a motorcycle when the incident occurred. While passing through the forest stretch late in the evening, a wild elephant suddenly emerged and attacked him, trampling him to death on the spot.
Forest department sources said that after the fatal attack, the elephant herd remained in the area for some time, creating panic among local residents and commuters who use the forest route. The presence of the elephants prevented immediate access to the spot and heightened concerns over further incidents.
On receiving information, officials from the Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Division rushed to the location. Forest personnel from the Hoogyam wildlife range undertook operations to drive the elephant herd away from the area to ensure public safety and to facilitate further proceedings.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing issue of human–elephant conflict in forest fringe areas, especially during evening and night hours when labourers and villagers travel through forest routes. Local residents have expressed concern over frequent movement of wild elephants in the region and have urged the authorities to take preventive measures to avoid such tragic incidents in the future.
Forest officials have advised people to avoid travelling through forest areas after dark and to remain alert to wildlife movement. Further legal procedures are being carried out, and compensation-related formalities for the victim’s family are expected to be initiated as per government norms.