With the death of three persons during a temple festival at Koyilandy on Thursday (February 13) when two elephants went on a rampage, the death toll from captive elephant attacks in the State rose to six in just the first two months of 2025. Nine people were killed in elephant attacks in 2024 in the State.
While the State is already grappling with the rising threat of wild elephant attacks, deadly incidents involving captive elephants — especially during festivals — are raising serious questions about the safety measures in place for these celebrations.
The deadly streak this year began on January 8 when the elephant, Pakkath Sreekuttan, killed a person during the BP Angadi Nercha at Tirur, Malappuram. On February 4, a handicapped person, who was caught in front of an elephant that went on the rampage in Chittattukara, was killed. The elephant, Chittilappilly Ganeshan, was brought to the Painkannikkal temple festival at Chittattukara. A mahout was mauled to death by elephant Vallamkulam Narayanan Kutty, which was brought for a ritual at Koottanad in Palakkad district on February 7. The latest incident in Koyilandy has claimed three lives, with five others critically injured.
Experts attribute these incidents to the rampant violation of the Kerala Captive Elephant (Management and Maintenance) Rules. “Many of the elephants paraded during temple festivals lack a valid fitness certificate, signed by the Chief Veterinary Officer, which is required by law,” says V.K. Venkitachalam, secretary of the Heritage Animal Task Force. “Most of these elephants are either ailing or handicapped, and under the rules, such elephants should never be paraded.”
The regulations are clear: elephants should not be paraded for more than six hours at a stretch. An elephant that has been paraded one night should not be paraded the next day. Elephants should not be paraded or transported from one place to another between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. More than three elephants should not be allowed to enter the temple premises at a time. However, festival organisers continue to flout these rules with impunity, Mr. Venkitachalam argues.
Despite the increasing frequency of these tragedies, there is little public outcry, as most of the incidents occur during religious festivals. The Heritage Animal Task Force alleges that human lives are often sacrificed in the name of tradition. Even when such gruesome killings are happening, the festival mafia is flourishing with the craze for elephants increasing, the task force noted. Ironically, Kerala even has fans clubs for elephants like Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran, which have allegedly killed 13 people.
In response to the recent Koyilandy incident, Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran has ordered an urgent investigation from the Chief Wildlife Warden. “We need to determine whether the elephant management and maintenance rules have been violated. Strict actions will be taken if any lapses are found,” the Minister said. Preliminary reports suggest that the elephants panicked after hearing the sound of firecrackers, he said.
Published – February 13, 2025 10:12 pm IST
