Kozhikode, 11 June (H.S.): Three people were injured in two separate wild elephant attacks reported from Kerala’s Attappady region in the early hours of Thursday, once again highlighting the growing concern over human-wildlife conflict in the tribal belt bordering Tamil Nadu.

In the first incident, a tribal youth identified as Vellinkeeri was attacked by a wild elephant near a riverbank at Mulli in Attappady. The attack occurred at dawn when he was reportedly walking towards the river. The elephant suddenly charged at him, causing injuries. Local residents rushed to his aid and shifted him to the Kottathara Tribal Specialty Hospital for treatment. His condition is reported to be stable.

In a separate incident at Goolikkadavu in Chittur, Attappady, a wild elephant attacked an autorickshaw carrying passengers along a forest-fringe road. The elephant allegedly emerged unexpectedly and charged at the vehicle, injuring both the driver and a passenger.

The injured were identified as Mini Shaji, a passenger, and Prasad, the autorickshaw driver. Both sustained injuries in the attack and were also admitted to the Kottathara Tribal Specialty Hospital. Hospital sources said their injuries were not life-threatening.

Forest department officials rushed to both locations and initiated monitoring operations to track the movement of the elephant involved in the attacks. Residents in the area have been advised to remain vigilant, particularly during the early morning and late evening hours when elephant movement is more common.

Attappady, a predominantly tribal region located on the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border, has witnessed several incidents of human-elephant conflict in recent years due to increasing encounters between wildlife and people living near forest areas.

The latest incidents have renewed concerns among local residents, who have called for stronger preventive measures to protect communities from recurring wildlife attacks. Forest officials said further steps would be taken to ensure public safety and reduce the risk of similar incidents in the area.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman