2 killed in elephant attacks over 5 days, residents protest in Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru
Local farmer associations in Balehonnur led the protest, demanding action from the Karnataka government on human-animal conflicts in the region.
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On Sunday evening, an elephant trampled a farmer to death at Andavane Jagara of Huyigere grama panchayat in Chikkamagaluru. (Express Archive)The residents of Balehonnur in Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru district observed a bandh Monday, demanding that the government take action on the issue of human-animal conflict after two people were killed in elephant attacks within five days.
On Sunday evening, an elephant trampled a farmer to death at Andavane Jagara of Huyigere grama panchayat in Chikkamagaluru. The deceased was identified as Sabraya Gowda, 64. According to sources, an elephant was crossing into a plantation and came into contact with a fence. As Gowda approached the fence, hearing the elephant’s loud cry, it trampled him to death, said sources.
On July 23, Anitha, a native of Honnalli in the Davanagere district, died after an elephant attacked her near Balehonnur. Anitha, who was working at a coffee estate, reportedly encountered an elephant while on her way to the workers’ colony. The elephant attacked her, and she died while being transported to the hospital, said sources.
Various farmer associations and residents led the protest in Balehonnur. Minister of Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khadre Monday expressed his condolences. “Compensation will be provided to the family members of the victims, and I have directed the forest officials to capture the elephants,” he said.
According to data from the forest department, 254 people have died in Karnataka in the last five years due to wild animal attacks. Over 2024 and 2025, 42 deaths have already been reported. Approximately 70 per cent of these fatalities are attributed to attacks by tigers, elephants, and leopards.
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