Wild elephant attack in Aralam farm leaves two women injured

A wild elephant attack in the early hours of Thursday (June 5, 2025) left two women injured and three huts destroyed in the Pookund area of Block 9 within the Aralam farm rehabilitation area. The elephant is believed to have strayed from the nearby Aralam wildlife sanctuary through a breach in an under construction wall.

Aswathy, who is pregnant, and her relative Leena were hurt while fleeing the rampaging elephant, which stormed their huts around 5a.m. Aswathy sustained an injury near her ear and was initially treated at Peravoor Taluk hospital before being shifted to a hospital in Kannur for further care.

The huts of Sheena Narayanan, Leena and Thankamma were completely destroyed in the attack. Local sources say two elephants emerged from the sanctuary and one of them turned aggressive, targeting the dwellings.

This was the 14th such incident in the rehabilitation area in the last three months. On Wednesday, a wild elephant attacked a woman at Kacherikadavu in Ayyankunnu panchayat, leaving her with broken ribs. She remains hospitalised in Kannur.

Adding to the distress, the victim of the latest attack alleged mistreatment by forest guards who arrived at the scene. The injured women initially refused to travel in a Forest department vehicle due to the alleged misconduct. It was only after peruasion by locals that they were transported to hospital in the same vehicle.

Meanwhile, tension continues to rise in the area as a herd of over ten elephants was reportedly seen near Aralam farm school on Wednesday, creating panic among residents.

With parts of the elephant wall project still incomplete, locals fear the threat of further intrusions remains high.

Published - June 05, 2025 06:23 pm IST