Synopsis
In the wake of the tragic death of a 77-year-old German tourist due to a wild elephant attack, the Tamil Nadu forest department has heightened patrolling measures in Valparai to ensure the safety of both locals and visitors and address the rising human-elephant conflicts.Key Takeaways
- Increased patrolling in Valparai.
- Death of German tourist Mickel Jurcen.
- Wild elephant attacks have escalated.
- Special teams deployed to manage elephant threats.
- Implementation of Smart Virtual Fencing System.
Chennai, Feb 5 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu forest department has significantly increased patrolling efforts in the Valparai region following the tragic passing of a 77-year-old German tourist, Mickel Jurcen, who fell victim to a wild elephant assault near Tiger Valley on the Pollachi-Valparai road within the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) on Tuesday evening.
Jurcen was riding a rented motorcycle towards Valparai at approximately 6 p.m. when he unexpectedly encountered the elephant.
Numerous vehicles were halted on the road, waiting for the animal to depart.
Despite receiving warnings from other drivers, the German tourist proceeded towards the elephant.
As he drew closer, the elephant charged, throwing him aside and inflicting fatal injuries.
Officials from the ATR informed IANS that specialized teams will be assigned to alleviate the danger posed by wild elephants and reduce human-elephant conflicts, which have become increasingly perilous.
Since May 2024, three individuals, including a college student, have tragically lost their lives in similar encounters with wild elephants in Valparai.
On May 8, 2024, a tribal activist named Ravi was crushed to death while returning home to Nedungundru village with five companions after selling honey gathered from the forest.
S. Mukesh (18), a second-year B.Sc. computer science student, was attacked by a wild elephant on June 1, 2024, while riding a bike with a friend on the Sholayar Dam Estate Road in Puthukkad. On December 9, 2024, a herd of elephants raided workers’ quarters at Gajamudi Estate around midnight.
Chandran (62) and three others, including two women, were caught in this assault. While attempting to flee, Chandran suffered severe injuries from a fall and later succumbed to his injuries during treatment at Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) on December 17, 2024.
The last recorded human fatality due to an elephant attack in Valparai before these incidents occurred on June 4, 2021. Between 1991 and 2021, roughly 49 individuals lost their lives in human-elephant conflicts in the area.
Every year, approximately 200 elephants migrate from neighboring states into the Valparai hills, starting in August and peaking between October and November, before gradually retreating by February.
The lush green foliage following monsoon rains draws these herds.
To mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, ATR authorities have implemented a Smart Virtual Fencing System at strategic locations throughout the plateau.
This initiative has notably diminished elephant-related damages in human settlements. With increased patrolling efforts, the forest department aims to bolster safety measures and educate tourists and locals to avert further tragedies.
