Tragedy Strikes as Wild Elephant Kills Man in Wayanad After Priyanka's Visit
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Synopsis
Following a visit by Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to families affected by animal attacks, a man was killed by a wild elephant in Wayanad. Locals demand action as the region faces ongoing human-animal conflicts exacerbated by dense wildlife populations.
Key Takeaways
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra recently visited families affected by animal attacks.
- A 45-year-old man was trampled by a wild elephant.
- Community members demand the district collector's presence.
- Human-wildlife conflict remains a significant issue in Wayanad.
- Officials propose trenches as a solution to deter wildlife.
Wayanad, Feb 11 (NationPress) Shortly after Wayanad Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met with the families of individuals who lost their lives to animal attacks in her constituency, a 45-year-old man was tragically trampled to death by a wild elephant.
Reports indicate that Manu's wife is currently missing, and the community in Noolpuzha, Sultan Bathery, Wayanad district, is demanding that the district collector visit the site. They state that they will only permit his body to be transported to the hospital for a post-mortem after this visit.
As per local Congress MLA I.C. Balakrishnan, Manu was attacked while returning from a store, and there are claims that another individual may have sustained injuries.
The ongoing conflict between humans and wild animals has become a pressing issue in the hilly region of Wayanad. On January 24, a woman collecting coffee beans was killed by a tiger.
Manu's death marks the ninth fatality in the last ten years in Wayanad. Coincidentally, Priyanka had visited the grieving families of three victims from wild animal attacks just the day prior.
Wayanad, bordering Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, is surrounded by dense forests that serve as habitats for tigers, wild elephants, and wild boars, instilling a constant sense of fear among residents, particularly those living near forested areas.
During her visit to the families affected by wild animal attacks, the primary request was for better protection against such incidents, with many advocating for the construction of barriers.
Forest Department officials suggested that a more effective solution might involve excavating new trenches to deter wild animals from encroaching on human settlements.
The ongoing issue of human-wildlife conflict in Kerala continues to echo in both the Parliament and the Kerala Assembly. Unfortunately, a viable solution remains elusive, and with summer approaching, the likelihood of wild animals invading human habitats is expected to rise.
