Plantation worker killed in wild elephant attack in Kerala’s Idukki

A 62-year-old plantation worker, Ocha Thevar, was killed in a wild elephant attack at Pooppara in Kerala’s Idukki. The fatality has renewed concerns over escalating human-wildlife conflict, as elephants continue to enter settlements and plantations across the Munnar-Pooppara high-range region

Idukki: A 62-year-old plantation worker was killed in a wild elephant attack at Pooppara in Kerala’s Idukki, amid continuing concerns over recurring elephant incursions into human settlements in the high range region.

The deceased has been identified as Ocha Thevar, a native of Bodinayakanur in Tamil Nadu. He was seriously injured after being attacked by a wild elephant at the 12-acre section of the Thalakkulam Estate in Pooppara on Thursday.

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Though he was rushed to hospital, he succumbed to his injuries, according to the Devikulam range officer. The body will be shifted to the mortuary of the Idukki Medical College Hospital. A herd of wild elephants was in the area since morning, and the attack once again highlighted the persistent human-wildlife conflict faced by residents and plantation workers in the region.

Forest officials, including the DFO, have proceeded to the spot. The Forest Department’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) regularly drives elephants back into the forest when they enter inhabited areas. However, the animals frequently return, leaving local residents and plantation workers vulnerable to attacks and crop damage.

The latest fatality came even as another wild elephant incident was reported nearby in Munnar. A young man had a miraculous escape after coming face-to-face with a wild elephant near Mount Carmel Church in Munnar town on Wednesday.

The elephant had entered the area when the youth suddenly found himself directly in its path. He managed to run away and escape unharmed. The elephant also caused extensive damage to crops in the area. CCTV footage of the incident has since emerged. The back-to-back incidents have renewed concerns over the increasing movement of wild elephants into areas inhabited and frequented by people in the Munnar-Pooppara belt.

While forest officials continue efforts to drive the animals back into the forest, repeated incursions remain a major challenge for communities living and working along the forest fringes. Of late, following numerous such incidents reported in high range areas, the Kerala government has adopted a standard protocol where compensation is given to the victim’s family.