Two Killed in Separate Elephant Attacks in Karnataka

Two tragic elephant attacks occurred in Karnataka on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of a 23-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman, highlighting the ongoing issue of human-animal conflict in the region.

The first incident took place in Gadde Halla, located within the N Begur range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Sargur taluk, Mysuru district. Avinash, a 23-year-old BSc graduate, was attacked while watering crops on his farmland around 6:30 am. According to forest officials, while three elephants were present, one of them charged at Avinash. BTR Conservator of Forests S Prabhakaran and N Begur RFO Manjunath immediately arrived at the site. Following the autopsy, the body was handed over to Avinash’s family, and a compensation cheque of Rs 15 lakh was provided to his relatives.

In a separate incident, a 62-year-old woman, Dyavamma, was found dead in Bellavara village, Belur taluk, suspected to be the victim of an elephant attack. Dyavamma, from Kanaguppe village, had gone in search of cattle when she went missing. Her family later discovered her body near Bellavara village, with injuries consistent with an elephant attack. Despite efforts by the Forest Department, locals demanded a visit from Forest Minister and the deputy commissioner. After assurances of a meeting to address the human-animal conflict in the region, the locals allowed the body to be retrieved. The deputy commissioner also presented a compensation cheque of Rs 15 lakh to Dyavamma’s family.

Residents have expressed concern about the high human-animal conflict in the area and urged the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) to provide electricity during the day instead of just in the early morning hours.

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