Gaur Roadkill Prompts Wildlife Crossing Alerts on Tiruchi-Madurai Highways

In late October 2025, the Forest Department took action to address the issue of wild animals being struck by vehicles on the Tiruchi-Madurai and Thuvarankurichi-Natham national highway stretches near Thuvarankurichi. The department has installed reflective caution boards at select locations along these highways to alert road users about "wild animals crossing the area" and advise them to drive slowly, with a speed limit of 40 kmph.

This move comes in response to sporadic incidents of roadkill in the area, including the recent death of an adult female gaur that was hit by a sports utility vehicle on the Thuvarankurichi-Natham highway. The 1.5-tonne gaur is believed to have suddenly crossed the road from the nearby Velamalai reserve forest. This is the fifth such incident reported in the Thuvarankurichi forest range jurisdiction this year, with three wild animal deaths on the Tiruchi-Madurai highway and two others on the Thuvarankurichi-Natham stretch.

The Thuvarankurichi forest range is home to a significant population of gaurs, as well as spotted deer, monkeys, rock pythons, and peacocks, in its 11 reserve forests. The department has also placed camera traps near water troughs in the Thachamalai and Velamalai reserve forests to monitor the movement of gaurs. By taking these measures, the Forest Department aims to enhance road safety and protect the local wildlife from further tragic incidents.