Tourists provoke wild tusker in Idukki

Wild tusker chasing tourists at Sivanpanthi near Kanthalloor in Idukki on Thursday evening | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT A group of tourists provoked a wild elephant at Sivanpanthi near Kanthalloor in Idukki on Thursday evening, and a video of the incident has gone viral on social media. The three youths, residents of Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, were attempting to take photographs of the tusker. The video shows the youths standing on a narrow road while the tusker roams a nearby farm. After the youths shouted and provoked the animal to click photos, the tusker charged at them. The trio had a narrow escape. The Forest department has not yet registered a case regarding the incident.Kanthalloor Forest Range Officer Anandan stated that the department has launched an inquiry into the matter. “The tourists were staying at a nearby resort. While they were standing on the road, a wild tusker arrived at the spot and charged at them, forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported. The presence of wild elephants is common in the Kanthalloor range,” the official said. Forest officials warned that getting close to wild elephants and attempting to take photographs is an extremely dangerous act.Compensation handed overMeanwhile, the Forest department handed over ₹5 lakh as initial compensation to the family of S. Ochappan, who was killed in a wild elephant attack at Thalakkulam near Pooppara under the Devikulam forest range on Thursday. A team led by Deputy Forest Range Officers Harison Sasi and P.A. Johnson, along with local public representatives, handed the cheque to Ochappan’s wife, Vijaya, at Theni Medical College on Friday.Following the post-mortem examination, the body was cremated at the Bodinayakanur public crematorium on Friday. Ochappan was attacked while working at a cardamom plantation owned by his daughter at Thalakkulam on Thursday morning around 9:00 am. Officials confirmed that the Forest department will disburse an additional ₹5 lakh and the Revenue department will provide ₹4 lakh in compensation once the family submits the required documentation. Published - August 28, 2026 07:20 pm IST