Daijiworld Media Network – Kadaba
Savanur, Aug 17: The menace of wild elephants has once again intensified in Palthadi, Punchappadi, Sarve and surrounding areas, leaving residents in constant fear for their lives.
On August 14 night, elephants were spotted straying into Palthadi, Punchappadi, Keyyur, Perlampadi and neighbouring regions, causing damage in Kayarguri, Devalike and Matha areas of Savanur village before moving towards Shantigodu. Locals recall that a few months ago, an elderly woman was killed in a wild elephant attack at Kaniyaru Bail. Though the animal was later driven away, it is said to have returned to Perlampadi and other villages, intensifying public demand for its relocation.
Fear for life
Farmers here say that in recent times not only elephants, but also wild boars and bison have been raiding farmlands, destroying crops. More dangerously, encounters with elephants often result in people being trampled to death or severely injured. In June 2024 alone, elephants damaged crops across Madavu, Punchappadi, Palthadi, Savanur, Keyyur, Erakkala, Teggu, Sarve, Veeramangala, Shantigodu, Bellippadi, Kathara and nearby villages.
No permanent solution
Frustrated farmers stress that permanent measures are needed to prevent elephants from entering human habitations and agricultural fields.
Capture operations stalled
Following the 2023 Renzilady tragedy where two persons were killed by elephants, district authorities had promised to capture and relocate all wild elephants in the region. The forest department later managed to capture only one elephant before halting the operation. Since then, locals allege, no relocation efforts have been undertaken despite repeated sightings.
Series of deaths
Wild elephant attacks have claimed several lives in the past decade. In 2023, three persons were killed in Kadaba taluk. In March 2018, a man lost his life near the railway track at Kombaru. On December 31, 2022, Thimmappa (45) was trampled to death in Shiradi, while his son was injured. On February 20, 2023, Ramesh Rai (55) and Ranjitha (21) of Meenadi, Renzilady village, were killed. On September 28, 2023, Choma (56) of Aittur sustained serious injuries and succumbed on November 7.
The latest fatality was reported on April 29, 2025, when Sellamma (65), a resident of CRC Colony, Hartyadka in Kaniyaru, was attacked by a lone tusker while tapping rubber in an estate at Hartyadka, Kolthige village.
Other cases include a youth in Konadka, Kollamogru (Sullia taluk) who was seriously injured in March 2022 while carrying milk, a man injured in Ichlampady in May 2023, and an Ayyappa devotee who was grievously hurt in December 2024 while washing clothes by a stream.