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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityAsiaChinaIndiaIndia Kerala: Protests rock Wayanad after elephant attack deathsPublished3 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Arun ChandraboseImage caption, Kerala’s Wayanad district is known for its dense forest coverBy Ashraf PadannaReporter, Trivandrum, Kerala”I’m afraid the elephant that killed my father could come back to attack again,” says 13-year-old Alna Joseph.On 10 February, Ms Joseph was returning from morning prayers at her village church in Mananthavady town in the hilly Wayanad district of the southern Indian state of Kerala when she saw a vehicle carrying a bleeding man.When she reached home, she found out that it was the body of her father Ajeesh Joseph, a 42-year-old farmer, who had been trampled to death by a radio-collared wild elephant – the second such death in the district in three weeks.As soon as the local hospital confirmed his death, protests erupted in the town. They were withdrawn only after the authorities announced a 1m-rupee ($12,067, £9,525) compensation for Joseph’s family and a job for his widow.Neighbouring Karnataka state, to which the elephant belonged, also announced a compensation of 1.5m rupees.Six days later, another wild elephant killed Pakkam Vellachalil Paul, a 50-year-old employee of a state-owned eco-tourism project, while he was on duty in Pulpally town, about 24km (15 miles) away.Since then, Wayanad district – known for its dense forests – has witnessed massive protests as angry residents blame authorities for failing to protect them from wild animal attacks.”We often see elephants roaming around when we go out,” Ms Joseph says. “Most of them don’t attack us. But how do we distinguish them from the dangerous ones?”Last week, the funeral procession for Paul turned violent as protesters sat with his body – his last rites were performed only after the intervention of local politicians and religious leaders.Protesters also placed the carcass of a calf killed by a tiger in the town on a forest department vehicle and booed local representatives. Police accuse protesters of “assaulting forest department employees, damaging a vehicle and stopping policemen from carrying out their duties”.Opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, who represents the Wayanad constituency in parliament, rushed to the state on Sunday to meet the families of the animal attack victims.The state government held an all-party meeting and promised to cover medical expenses of those affected by such attacks, while the forest department said it had issued orders to tranquillise the elephant that attacked Joseph.Image source, Arun ChandraboseImage caption, Last week, protests against frequent animal attacks turned violentResidents say they want strong boundary walls, solar-powered fencing, elephant-proof trenches, early warning electronic systems, radio-collaring of all wild elephants and creation of wildlife corridors – all things that have been promised by the authorities in the past.There is also growing resentment that the state’s chief minister and forest minister have not visited the area since the attacks.Man-animal conflict is a major issue for Kerala, state Forest Minister AK Saseendran admits.Known for its lush green landscape, the state covers only 1.2% of India’s land area, but accounts for 2.3% of its forest cover.Wayanad has 11,531sq km (1.1m hectares) under forest cover, which is 29.6% of the state’s geographical area. Residents of the district say most of the electric fencing and trenches dug to protect them from animal intrusions are in ruins. Mr Saseendran says habitat loss and climate change and its impact on the ecosystem have contributed to rising human-animal conflicts here.”Most of the raids are by reclusive elderly elephants who are hurt while fighting with youngsters in a herd,” the minister adds.Authorities say they are installing 250 surveillance cameras to track animal intrusions in vulnerable areas of the district.”We need to protect the lives of both humans and animals and ensure a healthy coexistence,” Mr Saseendran told the BBC.The authorities also say a higher population density exerts more pressure on forest resources from dependent communities.But residents don’t entirely agree and blame government policies for shrinking natural habitats that are forcing animals into residential areas.Image source, Arun ChandraboseImage caption, Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi met Paul’s family after his death sparked protests in the districtN Badusha, a 71-year-old farmer and environmental activist who lives near the district’s Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, says the area lies at the junction of wildlife reserves of three states.”Traditional farmers like me and the tribespeople lived here harmoniously for years,” he says. But decades of bamboo extraction from areas that the elephants relied on for sustenance have destroyed their food source, he says, adding that the government’s push for monoculture plantations such as teak, sandalwood, mahogany, acacia and eucalyptus has also affected the movement of wild animals.”Today, around 36,000 of 96,000 hectares of Wayanad forests are monoculture plantations such as eucalyptus,” Mr Badusha says.”The pristine and precious green spaces, vast swamps and wetlands are depleting,” he explains, pushing wild animals, such as elephants onto farmlands and residential areas.Residents say the district’s burgeoning tourism industry, cattle grazing, invasive plants and forest fires are also destroying wildlife habitats in the region.They blame the authorities for failing to find a solution to the resultant animal attacks.In some of the recent cases, residents have also questioned the shoddy response by the authorities. They say that the elephant that attacked Joseph had a radio-collar. So, how come the authorities failed to track the animal and drive it back to the forest? Mr Saseendran told reporters there had been a delay in tracking the elephant due to signal disruption from the radio-collar.In the case of Paul’s death, his family also alleges that he failed to get medical treatment at the right time.”He was shivering in fear and pain,” his 16-year-old daughter Sona says. “Had he got timely medical assistance, he would have survived.”The state government said it would inquire into the allegation.Image source, Arun ChandraboseImage caption, Sharath, a 14-year-old tribal boy, got fractured ribs after a wild elephant attacked him last month in the same area where Paul was killed”People have lost faith in the system,” says V Mohammed Ali, who runs a tourist home in Wayanad.It’s not just wild elephants they are worried about but animals like wild boars, tigers, bison and monkeys that make off with their cattle and eat their crops.”Two months ago, a tiger killed a man and his half-eaten body was recovered later,” Mr Ali says. “People wanted to shoot the animal but were stopped by the authorities.”Forest officials have also not been able to locate the tiger that killed the cattle in Pulpally as its pugmarks were untraceable.”My only prayer is that no child is orphaned because of irresponsible authorities again,” Ms Sona says. “No other little one should ever have to cry like I did. We should be able to leave our homes without fear of an attack.”Read more India stories from the BBC:India state bans candy floss over cancer riskOne dead in India’s farming protests – officialRare turtle discovered in India by UK scientistsIndian official visit ‘death knell’ for island tribeThe spin maestro who defied odds to reach 500 wicketsRelated TopicsAsiaIndiaTop StoriesAmerican company makes historic Moon landingPublished2 hours agoEnergy bills expected to fall as new cap announcedPublished4 hours agoSpeaker’s decision on Gaza vote concerning – PMPublished7 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: ‘Two years of lunacy’ and possible ‘new Brexit deal’Britain’s biggest Bollywood star taking on HollywoodWhy are American XL bullies being banned?The ‘mind-bending’ bionic arm powered by AIWeekly quiz: What word did Emma Stone have trouble saying?Rosenberg: How two years of war have changed Russia‘I miss you’: Ukraine’s children orphaned by Russian missileSpeaker Hoyle on the Brink + Shapps on Ukraine. 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[ad_1] Recent deaths due to wild animal attacks have sparked massive protests in Kerala’s Wayanad district.
![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaJesse Baird: ‘Grave concerns’ over TV presenter and boyfriend Luke Davies missing in SydneyPublished1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Jesse BairdImage caption, Couple Luke Davies and Jesse Baird have not been seen since MondayBy Andre Rhoden-PaulBBC NewsPolice say they have “grave concerns” over a TV presenter and his boyfriend who disappeared in Sydney in suspicious circumstances. Possessions belonging to ex-Network 10 presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and Luke Davies, 29, were found on Wednesday in a bin in a suburb of the city. Police are seeking a man identified by local media as a police officer who once dated Mr Baird to aid inquiries.But the force told the BBC it could not confirm the person’s identity.On Thursday night officers obtained a warrant to search a home in the Balmain area of Sydney. Police said they seized a number of items. In a statement, New South Wales Police Force said: “Detectives are looking at a line of inquiry that a third person may be able to assist with the investigation.”Police are currently trying to locate him.”Officers found blood and moved furniture at Mr Baird’s home in the Paddington area, around 28km (17 miles) from Cronulla, the suburb where a worker found the couple’s belongings in a bin.Blood-stained clothes, a phone and credit cards were among the items found. Police believe the couple were in Paddington on Monday. CCTV footage obtained by 7NewsAustralia shows what it says appears to be the couple going into Mr Baird’s flatshare. CCTV footage showing a white van in the area was also being looked at by police, the news outlet said. Qantas flight attendant Mr Davies has not been in contact with his family or attended work since Monday, according to police. Det Supt Jodi Radmore said all lines of inquiry were being investigated and told reporters: “We do believe, from the crime scene at Paddington and from property located at Cronulla, that there has been some sort of incident.”She added that had given the force “great concerns for one, possibly both their safety”.”Witnesses described a verbal argument,” she continued, “but it wasn’t reported to police at the time … it was only reported to police yesterday [Monday morning] during canvassing.”New South Wales Police are appealing for information. Mr Baird had been a presenter and red carpet reporter on Network 10’s morning show Studio 10 until the show was axed in December.Qantas said it was providing support to Mr Davies’ colleagues. “Our thoughts are with family, friends and colleagues of our crew member at this very difficult time,” the airline said in a statement. Image source, Jesse BairdImage caption, Jesse Baird (right) had presented on Network 10’s morning show Studio 10Related TopicsAsiaSydneyAustraliaTop StoriesSpeaker’s decision on Gaza vote concerning – PMPublished1 hour agoPeople feared trapped in Spain high-rise firePublished12 minutes agoMoment two people rescued from burning tower in Spain. VideoMoment two people rescued from burning tower in SpainPublished1 hour agoFeaturesAmerican company aims for historic Moon landingRosenberg: How two years of war have changed Russia‘I miss you’: Ukraine’s children orphaned by Russian missileSpeaker Hoyle on the Brink + Shapps on Ukraine. AudioSpeaker Hoyle on the Brink + Shapps on UkraineAttributionSoundsHow the row over Commons Speaker unfoldedSahil Omar: The real story behind a fake criminalWhat does Alabama ruling mean for fertility patients?Postcode check: How’s the NHS coping in your area?Family share memories of Kenya’s marathon legendElsewhere on the BBCThe screening dilemma…Could good intentions to detect illnesses early actually be causing more harm?AttributionSoundsHair-pulling, wrestling and kicking!Watch the moment a violent brawl unfolded in the Maldives ParliamentAttributioniPlayerFrom musical pressure to creative differences…Music critic Pete Paphides tells the story behind Fleetwood Mac’s TuskAttributionSoundsOne of the world’s biggest scientific projects…Pallab Ghosh goes inside the largest particle accelerator in the worldAttributioniPlayerMost Read1People feared trapped in Spain high-rise fire2Concern over missing Sydney TV presenter and partner3Wendy Williams diagnosed with aphasia and dementia4Mortgage lenders rapidly changing interest rates5Scouts referred to police after teen killed on hike6Speaker’s decision on Gaza vote concerning – PM7Constance Marten had £48k paid into her account8Navalny’s mother says she has been shown his body9Strictly dancer Windsor’s family thank fans10Footballer Dani Alves guilty of nightclub rape](https://newsinsightplus.com/wp-content/uploads/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/D0CB/production/_132715435_capture.png)
![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaWalled site grows at Egypt border near GazaPublished53 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warBy Jake Horton & Daniele PalumboBBC VerifyEgypt has built more than 3km of wall in the past week in addition to further clearance of a large area next to its border with Gaza, BBC Verify has found.It comes after Israel warned it is preparing for a ground offensive in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah.The city has seen a huge increase in its population in recent months.Egyptian authorities say “no provisions” are being made for displaced Palestinians and the area is meant for a “logistical hub” for aid.But an aid worker for a UK charity, who is part of the humanitarian efforts in Gaza, told the BBC she had “never seen large scale clearing of land” for such a logistical hub and they were unaware of any such plan.What do the latest images show?More than 16 sq km (6 sq miles) have been cleared just over the border from Gaza, visible in the recent satellite images.The clearing of this area began at the start of February but has expanded dramatically over the past week.Sections of wall around this area now appear to be under construction.On 14 February, about 0.8km (0.5 miles) of wall were visible in satellite imagery, but the most recent pictures indicate more than 4km (2.5 miles) are now erected.The wall appears to be being built simultaneously in three places – in this image you can see construction in the south-west corner of the cleared area.What appears to be a crane and other vehicles can be seen near constitution materials.In the south-east corner, you can see a build up of trucks along the main road which leads from north Egypt into Gaza.Some of these trucks are parked off the main road and within the newly cleared area.What is the area for?Following reports the area was being made to house Palestinian refugees, Egypt publicly denied making any such preparations. Since the start of the Gaza war following Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October, Egypt has consistently said it would not open its border to refugees.It has taken that stance partly because it does not want to appear complicit in the large-scale displacement of Palestinians, but also out of economic and security concerns.And Israel has previously said that it has “no intention of evacuating Palestinian civilians to Egypt”.The authorities in Egypt’s North Sinai province released a statement saying “the armed forces are setting up a logistical area to receive aid for Gaza” to ease the congestion on the roads near the border. Image source, North Sinai GovernorateImage caption, The authorities in Egypt’s North Sinai province have published pictures of the construction effortsThe local governor said the area was being prepared for “truck waiting areas, secure warehouses, administrative offices, and driver accommodations”.However, the BBC has spoken to a humanitarian expert, who is part of a group which coordinates aid efforts into Gaza – and she says they haven’t heard of any such plan.”If there was a plan to suddenly increase the capacity by constructing a hub of sorts, I would suggest that this would have been shared [with aid agencies] by the Egyptian authorities,” she said.The aid worker didn’t want to be named, as it could complicate the relationship between the aid organisation she works for and the Egyptian authorities.”The capacity for warehousing in Egypt is something that is discussed at almost every meeting. Given that this hasn’t been shared, my assumption is that this is not what the plan is,” she added.We showed the latest satellite images to several security experts to see what they thought its purpose could be.Andreas Kreig, a senior lecturer in security studies at Kings College London, said: “You do not need to clear that much ground to stage waiting trucks. To me it very much looks like Egypt making preparations for the worst-case scenario.””If you put this in perspective of how big this area this is, 16 km sq of trucks, that is thousands and thousands of trucks. There’s never been a situation where you’ve had thousands of trucks waiting at the border.”Graphics by Filipa Silverio.Related TopicsIsrael-Gaza warEgyptGazaTop StoriesPM calls Speaker’s decision on Gaza vote ‘very concerning’Published1 hour agoPeople feared trapped in Spain high-rise firePublished21 minutes agoNavalny’s mother says she has been shown his bodyPublished6 minutes agoFeaturesAmerican company aims for historic Moon landingRosenberg: How two years of war have changed Russia‘I miss you’: Ukraine’s children orphaned by Russian missileHow the row over Commons Speaker unfoldedSahil Omar: The real story behind a fake criminalWhat does Alabama ruling mean for fertility patients?Postcode check: How’s the NHS coping in your area?Family share memories of Kenya’s marathon legendHow AI is helping the search for extraterrestrial lifeElsewhere on the BBCThe screening dilemma…Could good intentions to detect illnesses early actually be causing more harm?AttributionSoundsHair-pulling, wrestling and kicking!Watch the moment a violent brawl unfolded in the Maldives ParliamentAttributioniPlayerFrom musical pressure to creative differences…Music critic Pete Paphides tells the story behind Fleetwood Mac’s TuskAttributionSoundsOne of the world’s biggest scientific projects…Pallab Ghosh goes inside the largest particle accelerator in the worldAttributioniPlayerMost Read1People feared trapped in Spain high-rise fire2Mortgage lenders rapidly changing interest rates3Concern over missing Sydney TV presenter and partner4Scout who fell to his death was unlawfully killed5Speaker’s decision on Gaza vote concerning – PM6Constance Marten had £48k paid into her account7Navalny’s mother says she has been shown his body8Wendy Williams diagnosed with aphasia and dementia9Former world’s oldest dog stripped of title10Strictly dancer Windsor’s family thank fans](https://newsinsightplus.com/wp-content/uploads/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/B893/production/_132715274_rafah_border_build_up_promo_v2_976-2x-nc.png)
