14th March 2019

KOZHIKODE: With forest fires and harsh summer taking a toll on the wildlife habitat in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and forcing animals to migrate to the adjoining forests in Wayanad in large numbers, the hill district is staring at the possibility of more man-animal conflicts this summer.

Wildlife experts said that forest fires had wreaked havoc in Mudumalai reserve and the damage at Bandipur Tiger Reserve was spread across over 10,000 acres. Since they share their borders with Wayanad, wild animals – including elephants and gaurs – have trooped into Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) in large numbers in search of food and water, they added.

Wildlife experts said that forest fires had wreaked havoc in Mudumalai reserve and the damage at Bandipur Tiger Reserve was spread across over 10,000 acres. Since they share their borders with Wayanad, wild animals – including elephants and gaurs – have trooped into Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) in large numbers in search of food and water, they added.

“The increased influx of animals could lead to more incidents of animals straying into human habitats along fringe forest areas. We are taking steps to ensure water availability inside WWS by cleaning up water sources and building check dams (wherever possible) to minimize conflict,” said chief conservator of forests (wildlife, northern region) BN Anjan Kumar. Also, one person was killed by a wild elephant on Tuesday, which in turn highlights the problem faced by residents.

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