Malappuram (Kerala) [India], May 15 (HBTV): A 55-year-old tapping worker was found dead in Kerala’s Malappuram district after reportedly being dragged away by a tiger. The deceased has been identified as Gaffur, a resident of Adakkakund.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday while Gaffur was on his way to tap rubber trees. Another tapping worker accompanying him noticed the attack and immediately informed the police.

A complaint was registered at the Kalikavu police station, and a police team launched an investigation. After an extensive search, Gaffur’s body was recovered five kilometres away from the site of the attack, deep within a forested area.

Due to the absence of road access near the forest border, the police had to trek on foot to reach the location. The death of Gaffur has caused deep grief in the local community. Police officials are carrying out the necessary legal procedures, while the Forest Department has also initiated an inquiry into the matter.

The incident adds to a growing list of human-wildlife conflicts reported in Kerala in recent months. In a previous case, a tribal couple was trampled to death by a wild elephant in the Aralam farm area of Kannur, triggering protests from local residents.

The victims, Velli (80) and his wife Leela (72), were residents of Block 13 at Aralam farm. They were attacked by an elephant while collecting cashew nuts on their land, located just 600 metres from the Rapid Response Team (RRT) office.

Such incidents have sparked widespread concern about rising human-wildlife conflict in the state. Authorities have stated that measures are being taken to prevent future occurrences.

In a related incident on January 27, a tiger that had been roaming the Wayanad region was found dead in a forested area near Mananthavady. The tiger had earlier killed a woman named Radha in Pancharakoli, causing panic in the area.

(ANI)