Wild Elephant Kills Forest Watcher in Palakkad, Kerala

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March 10, 2026 21:32 IST

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A forest watcher in Palakkad, Kerala, tragically lost his life in a wild elephant attack while trying to protect a local community, highlighting the dangers of human-wildlife conflict.

Photograph: Screen grab/X

Photograph: Screen grab/X

Key Points

  • A forest watcher in Palakkad, Kerala, was killed in a tragic wild elephant attack.
  • The incident occurred as forest staff attempted to drive the elephant away from a human habitation area.
  • The victim, Shaiju, sustained serious injuries and died despite being rushed to the hospital.
  • The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife conflict in Kerala.

A forest watcher was killed in a wild elephant attack in Kerala's Palakkad district on Tuesday, police said.

The deceased was identified as Shaiju (28), who had been working as a watcher in the department for the past three years.

 

The incident occurred at Chenerikkunnu under Mannarkkad police station limit in the evening when a team of forest staff were trying to drive away a wild elephant that had strayed into a human habitation area, they said.

Shaiju sustained serious injuries in the attack and was rushed to a hospital, but he could not be saved, police added.