Wayanad: Eight killed in human-wildlife conflict in past 12 months

Mananthavady: While the forest department prepares to tranquillize the wild tusker that killed a 42-year-old man in Wayanad, questions have been raised over the government's efforts to manage the frequent incidences of human-wildlife conflict in the state. 

Ajeesh, a taxi driver who died yesterday in Wayanad, is the eighth person killed in wildlife attacks in a single year. According to forest department officials, wild tuskers killed six people, while the other two fell victim to attacks by tigers. Despite taking measures to monitor the movements of elephants using radio collars, the animals continue to roam freely in human-inhabited areas. 

Recently, a jumbo from Karnataka, called 'Thanneer Komban', fitted with a radio collar had ventured into Mananthavady town and roamed the streets for over 16 hours after which it was tranquilised. However, upon being shifted to Karnataka, that elephant had died.

At the same time, Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran said that the mission to catch the tusker would commence on Sunday morning. He informed that after reviewing its health condition, the elephant would be tranquilised and later shifted to a camp in Muthanga.