Wild animal attacks claim 685 human lives in Tamil Nadu in 10 years

Wild animal attacks in Tamil Nadu resulted in 685 human fatalities over the past decade, highlighting serious human-animal conflict issues.

A total of 685 people lost their lives in negative interactions with wild animals across Tamil Nadu from 2015 to 2025 (up to July 31) as per a data from the Forest Department. As many as 43 people died in animal attacks in 2025, registering a decline from 79 in 2024 and 84 in 2023.

Among the 685 deaths in 10 years, 522 were due to attacks by wild elephants, followed by gaur (94), wild boar (22), deer (12) and bear (9). The highest human mortality due to elephant attacks during the period was in 2019 when 62 deaths were reported, as per the data presented by D. Venkatesh, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Anamalai Tiger Reserve, who elaborated the status of the human – animal conflict scenario in the State in a workshop for Forest Department officers and stakeholders held at the Central Academy for State Forest Service (Casfos) in Coimbatore on Wednesday.

The conflict situation is a cause of serious concern in Western Ghats districts such as Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Coimbatore and the Nilgiris and in three Eastern Ghats districts — Erode, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri.

Habitat degradation through biotic pressure, lack of fodder and water resources in the habitat, occurrence of exotic species in large extent suppressing native ecosystem, encroachments on forest lands, enlargement of human habitations adjacent to the forests and fragmented habitats were among the reasons for the human-animal conflict situation. Change in the cropping pattern in places along forest boundaries, which involves cultivation of crops that attracts animals, was another reason.

“Straying of elephants into villages for fodder and water is causing mortalities and injuries not just to humans; it is also impacting the quality of life of the elephants, as they get injured, develop infections and diseases. The conflict situation can only be mitigated through human approach and there is no use in finding fault with wild animals,” said Mr. Venkatesh.

Tamil Nadu has registered an increase in the population of elephants, which stood at 3,170 in 2025. Tiger population in the State increased to 306 in the All India Tiger Estimation 2022 compared with previous cycles.