Wild elephants

Wild elephants in Kerala's Munnar are lingering near human habitations due to a lack of rain, which has caused scarcity of food and water in deeper forest areas. Typically, these elephants retreat into the forest during the monsoon, but this year's drought-like conditions have disrupted their usual behavior.

Two Kumkis are deployed in Parvathipuram-Manyam district to address frequent incursions of wild elephants from Odisha into Andhra Pradesh, which damage crops, property, and endanger local communities.

Drones and ground patrols are being deployed in Ranni to monitor wild elephant movements and warn residents of vulnerable fringe villages. The initiative focuses on early detection to prevent conflicts between elephants and local communities.

Forest officials in the Athirappilly forest area operate in batches around the clock to chase away wild elephants near human settlements, aiming to prevent human-wild elephant conflicts. Teams remain on constant vigil to manage this issue effectively.

A drone squad has been established in Aralam, Kerala’s Kannur, to monitor wild elephants. The initiative aims to enhance wildlife surveillance and potentially mitigate human-elephant conflicts.

A woman was killed and her daughter injured when they encountered two wild elephants in Kerala’s Idukki. The incident occurred while the woman was walking her daughter to school, and heavy rain and thick mist prevented her from noticing the animals.