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Wild Elephants Terrorize Karnataka: 259 Deaths in 5 Years
8 May
Summary
- Human-animal conflict has claimed 259 lives in Karnataka between 2021-22 and 2025-26.
- Kodagu and Chamarajanagar districts are among the worst-affected in Karnataka.
- Habitat loss and fragmentation are identified as primary drivers of escalating conflict.
Tragic human-animal conflicts continue to plague Karnataka, with 259 lives lost between 2021-22 and 2025-26. The districts of Kodagu and Chamarajanagar are notably among the most severely impacted. Recent events include a 17-year-old's death in Bettathuru village on February 28, 2026, and a coffee planter's demise in Kaiemani on April 8, 2026. These incidents highlight a growing threat across the state's forested regions.
Experts attribute the alarming rise in conflict to ecological shifts and increased human activity, leading to habitat fragmentation. The disruption of traditional elephant corridors forces animals into villages and farmlands, drawn by crops. The Karnataka government has proposed a ₹1,500 crore Man-Animal Conflict Mitigation Programme over five years and is exploring an 'Aane Dhama' (Elephant Reserve) to rehabilitate elephants outside forest areas.
