Farmers Rage in Protest as Wild Animals Claim 25 Lives This Year

PROTESTS are raging in the high ranges of Kerala over the rising incidents of wild animal attacks.

- MANOJ VISWANATHAN @Kochi

As many as 25 people have died in wild animal attacks since January 1, 2025, of which 19 were killed by wild elephants and two were devoured by tigers. Three persons died in wild boar attacks while one was killed by an Indian gaur. As the forest department claims to have bolstered steps to curb such attacks, farmers blame it on the apathy of the officials.

Reacting to the latest incident, in which Kalathipadickal Gafoor was mauled to death by a tiger, Kerala Independent Farmers Association (KIFA) Kalikavu unit president Sakir Vadayil said they had filed a complaint with Nilambur South Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) on March 14 regarding the presence of a tiger at Karuvarakund, Kalikavu and Chokkad areas.