Tuskers roam forest path in Wayanad, alerts issued for travellers | Kerala Stories | Onmanorama
Published: November 16, 2025 06:50 PM IST
1 minute Read
A herd of elephants along the PakkamâKuruva Road on the Chekady forest path chasing a vehicle (video grab)
Pulpally: Complaints are mounting over the severe problem posed by wild tuskers along the Chekady forest path as people travelling through the route are now encountering elephants both day and night.
Wild tuskers remain a threat along the PakkamâKuruvaâChekady and PaalakkollyâVilangadyâChekady stretches, with two-wheeler riders being the worst affected by elephants roaming alone or in herds. Visitors to the forest and those unfamiliar with the area often find themselves face-to-face with tuskers.
Recently, a civil police officer from Chekady Unnathi was confronted by a tusker while on his way to duty. He abandoned his bike, fled and took refuge under a culvert. In another incident months ago, two siblings narrowly escaped an attack by a lone tusker in the Vilangady forest area while travelling from Mullankkolly to Kattikkulam.
With the onset of summer, the migration of wild tuskers in the forest has also intensified. More elephants are crossing over from Karnataka across the Kabani river, and many have turned violent. Spotting elephants is also becoming difficult due to the bends and curves on the road here. The Veliyambam school bus has been encountering elephants frequently enroute. Accustomed to the sight, children, though, are no longer frightened. There have been demands to clear wild growth along the roadside to improve visibility.
Forest officials have warned two-wheeler riders to remain alert to the presence of wild elephants active in many forest areas and have advised against stopping vehicles to take photographs of the animals.
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