Two Elephants Found Dead Near Nilambur; Seven Elephant Deaths Reported This Year

Malappuram: The carcasses of two elephants were found in separate locations near Nilambur, raising concerns about the cause of their deaths, forest department officials said on Wednesday.

A senior official said one of the elephants, a 40-year-old tusker, was discovered in the Kareeri forest area. Only skeletal remains were found, indicating that the elephant had died around two months ago. In the other case, a 15-year-old tusker was found on private land in the TK Unnathi area of the Kalikavu Range. This carcass is believed to be about a day old. There were no signs of electric fences or traps near the site.

Officials confirmed that in both cases, the elephants’ tusks were intact. Forest department authorities said the exact cause of death can only be determined after postmortem examinations are carried out.
Rising Elephant Deaths in Nilambur Forest Reserve

In the Nilambur forest area, which is part of the state’s elephant reserve, seven elephants have died so far this year. The first carcass was found on February 26 in Nellikuthu of the Vazhikkadavu Range, and the elephant’s tusks were missing. On April 4, the forest department found the carcasses of three elephants in Maruth, Karakkode, and Putharippadam.

In Maruth, a 20-year-old tusker was found dead. In Putharippadam, a 10-year-old calf was discovered about 200 meters inside private property, while in the Karulai Ezhuthukal area, a six-month-old calf was found dead. On October 26, a 15-year-old tusker was found dead in Thalakkolli of Karulai, and on November 4, two more tusker carcasses were discovered.

Nilambur is home to the highest elephant population in Kerala. According to the 2024 census, 198 elephants were recorded in Nilambur, up from 171 in 2023, marking an increase of 27 elephants. With this rise in population, the growing mortality rate has become a significant concern.

The 2024 census indicates that the highest mortality rate was recorded among elephants below 10 years of age. This year, carcasses of elephants of varying ages have been found. Wildlife activists emphasize the need for a comprehensive study to understand the causes of elephant deaths.