Palaniyandi : “Elderly man killed by elephant in Gudalur”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Gudalur elephant attack
2. Elderly man fatality elephant attack

An 84-year-old man tragically lost his life in a chance encounter with an elephant in the early hours of May 24, 2024. The victim, identified as Palaniyandi, was attacked by a lone elephant near his home in Devala, Pandalur forest range in Gudalur division. The elephant had strayed into the village in search of food, drawn by fruit-bearing jackfruit trees in the area. Despite efforts by forest teams to patrol the region and warn residents of elephant movements, this incident still occurred. The forest department has since recommended the trimming of fruit from trees near human settlements to prevent similar incidents in the future, offering ₹10 lakhs in compensation to the victim’s family.

Tragic Encounter Between Man and Elephant in Gudalur Division

An unfortunate incident occurred in the early hours of May 24, 2024, in the scenic town of Devala in the Pandalur forest range, located within the Gudalur division. An 84-year-old man, Palaniyandi, lost his life in a tragic encounter with a wild elephant, sending shockwaves through the local community.

Details of the Incident

Mr. Palaniyandi, a long-time resident of Devala, had stepped out of his humble abode in the wee hours of the morning to attend to nature’s call. Little did he know that he would come face to face with a lone elephant that had strayed into the human settlement in search of food. The lush green surroundings of his house, adorned with fruit-bearing jackfruit trees, had unwittingly lured the massive creature into the village.

Efforts to Mitigate Human-Elephant Conflict

Vengatesh Prabhu, the Divisional Forest Officer of Gudalur Division, highlighted the ongoing efforts by the forest department to safeguard both humans and elephants in the region. Despite the regular patrols conducted by 12 forest teams to warn residents about elephant movements, this particular male elephant managed to slip past their vigilance and engage in the fatal encounter with Mr. Palaniyandi.

Compensation and Preventive Measures

Following the tragic incident, a compensation of ₹10 lakhs was awarded to the bereaved family of Mr. Palaniyandi as a token of assistance during their time of grief. Mr. Prabhu emphasised the need to address the root cause of such human-elephant conflicts, citing the abundance of jackfruit trees near human settlements as a key contributing factor. The forest department has proposed the lopping of fruits from these trees to reduce the chances of further negative interactions between humans and elephants.

Request for Community Support

In light of this unfortunate event, the forest department has urged the district administration and local residents to collaborate in implementing preventive measures to protect both human lives and wildlife. By taking proactive steps to minimise human-elephant conflicts, the community can create a safer environment for all inhabitants of the region.

As the sun sets over the picturesque landscapes of Devala, the memory of Mr. Palaniyandi serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between man and nature. Let us honour his legacy by working together to foster harmony between humans and wildlife in our shared habitat.