Farmer Loses Life After Wild Boar Attack in Kerala's Kannur

Synopsis

On March 2, a tragic incident in Kerala's Kannur resulted in the death of a 70-year-old farmer, Sreedharan, following a savage wild boar attack on his farmland. This event highlights the increasing threat of wildlife encounters in the region.

Key Takeaways

Sreedharan was attacked by a wild boar on his farmland.
The incident occurred on a well-traveled path.
Local resident Nanu witnessed the aftermath of the attack.
Fatal wildlife encounters are on the rise in Kerala.
Authorities are urged to act against increasing wildlife conflicts.

Thiruvananthapuram, March 2 (NationPress) A 70-year-old farmer, Sreedharan, tragically lost his life due to a wild boar attack on his farmland in Kerala’s Kannur on Sunday.

He suffered significant injuries across his body and succumbed to severe blood loss, as confirmed by the police.

According to a local resident, Nanu, the incident took place on a frequently used path leading to the main road. Upon hearing Sreedharan’s desperate cries, Nanu hurried to the scene, only to find the farmer viciously attacked by the wild boar.

“The wild boar had caused numerous deep lacerations on his body. His left thigh bone was visible through the flesh,” Nanu stated. Sreedharan was rushed to Thalassery Government Hospital, but unfortunately, the medical team was unable to save him.

This heartbreaking incident reflects a rising trend of deadly wildlife encounters in Kerala. On the same day, a wild elephant killed a domestic bull in the Attappadi border area, further emphasizing the escalating danger posed by wild animals to local populations.

Just days prior, on February 24, a wild elephant attack resulted in the deaths of an elderly tribal couple, Velli (80) and his wife Leela (70), at Aralam Farm in Kannur district. The couple was gathering cashew nuts near the Rapid Response Team office in Karikmukku when the elephant struck.

Since 2014, at least 17 people have perished due to wild elephant attacks in the Aralam Farm region alone.

In another incident on February 10, a 45-year-old man named Manu from Unnathi, Kappad, was killed by an elephant while returning home with goods from a shop.

On that same day, a 45-year-old woman, Sofia, also lost her life in an elephant attack in Peruvanthanam, Idukki.

As per available data up to February 11, 2025, a total of 57 individuals have died from wildlife attacks in Kerala during the current financial year (2024-25). Among these, 15 fatalities were due to elephant attacks. Other casualties included eight from wild boar attacks, one from a tiger attack, 32 from snake bites, and one from a porcupine attack.

The rising frequency of human-wildlife conflicts in Kerala is linked to the state’s extensive forest cover of 11,309 square km (4,366 sq mi), which constitutes over 29.1 percent of its total geographical area. More than 100,000 tribal residents inhabit these forest regions, alongside 500,000 non-tribal residents in adjacent settlements and border areas.

Rapid population growth and human encroachment into forest territories have heightened these conflicts, resulting in significant crop destruction, livestock losses, property damage, and, in many instances, human fatalities.

In the financial year 2024-25 alone, more than 50 wild elephant attacks have been documented throughout the state, with fatalities increasing. Authorities are facing mounting pressure to establish effective strategies to reduce these conflicts and safeguard residents living in and around forested zones.