Human-wildlife conflict escalates across Kannur

Human-wildlife conflict is intensifying across Kannur district, with repeated incursions by wild elephants, gaur (Indian bison), and a suspected leopard triggering fear among residents and raising concerns over inadequate mitigation measures. Fresh incidents reported from Aralam, Kolayad, and Sreekandapuram highlight the growing threat to lives, agriculture, and livestock in forest-fringe villages.

In Aralam panchayat, herds of wild elephants entered the Keezhpally-Chathiroor, Parippthode, and Parambathukandy areas over the past two days, damaging crops and venturing close to houses. Forest officials and residents drove the elephants back into the forest after they entered the Chathiroor Neelayil area around 10 p.m. on Wednesday (July 22, 2026). A woman narrowly escaped after coming face to face with the herd, while nearly half an acre of fodder grass was destroyed.

On Thursday (July 23, 2026), the tusker, known as Mottukomban and considered a dangerous elephant frequently seen around Aralam farm, was spotted inside a rubber plantation at Parippthode. Forest personnel later chased it back into the forest, but residents said fear persists as the elephant repeatedly enters densely populated areas.

Residents blamed the recurring incursions on gaps in the solar fencing and alleged that elephants had damaged existing fences by pushing down trees. They also expressed concern that the proposed elephant-proof wall at Aralam farm could divert elephant movement towards Aralam and Ayyankunnu panchayats, increasing the risk to more settlements. Although authorities said the procedures for installing fencing along the remaining 4.5-km stretch at Chathiroor had been completed and the work was expected to be completed within two months, locals demanded immediate protection until then.

In another incident, wild gaur continue to pose a serious threat in Kolayad panchayat. Residents of Peruvayal, Peruva, and Chittariparamba said the animals had been frequently sighted along the roads for weeks, charging at vehicles on the Nedumpoyil-Koothuparamba State Highway.

Locals said travelling through the area had become risky even during the day and urged the Forest department to implement permanent measures. The demand gained urgency after a traveller was killed in a gaur attack in Kolayad last year. Meanwhile, panic has spread in Sreekandapuram after a suspected leopard killed a calf belonging to M.T. Vinod of Padinharamoola during the early hours of Tuesday (July 21, 2026). Forest officials confirmed the presence of a leopard after examining pugmarks and installed camera traps, though no images have been captured so far.

Residents also reported spotting a leopard carrying a wild pig near Kolathur on Wednesday night. Forest officials, trained shooters, local body representatives, and residents conducted an extensive search but failed to trace the animal.

The authorities have advised people to remain vigilant while surveillance and search operations continue. However, the series of incidents has renewed demands for stronger preventive infrastructure, quicker response mechanisms, and long-term measures to address the increasing human-wildlife conflict in Kannur’s forest-fringe regions.