A 68-year-old man was killed by a gaur in Kulathupuzha early Thursday morning, sparking panic across the eastern forest fringes of Kollam.

Basheer, a headload worker, met a gruesome death after being attacked by a gaur on the Kulathupuzha main road. The wild animal, which had strayed into the human settlement from the nearby forest, gored Basheer while he was on his way to a tea shop in the morning, inflicting fatal injuries to his chest and head. The incident has ignited fresh outrage among locals who have long warned of the escalating wild gaur menace in their backyards.

The tragic death highlights a rapidly worsening wildlife crisis in the Kulathupuzha region. Last year, the town was thrown into panic as herds of up to twenty bisons began invading residential areas, culminating in a harrowing incident where a student playing football was gored and severely injured. Though the town briefly found relief after forest authorities dug protective trenches, the animals have once again breached the perimeter, bringing the nightmare right back to the residents’ doorsteps.

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) district secretary S. Jayamohan said that the tragic incident was a result of the Forest department’s irresponsible attitude and sheer negligence. Wild animals, including gaurs, have been frequently intruding into residential areas across Kulathupuzha. “Alongside devastating crops, these animals routinely attack residents. Forest department remains a silent spectator while wildlife attacks continue to pose a threat to human life, property, and agriculture in the region,” he said.

Mr Jayamohan also pointed out that closure of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) office, which previously operated in Bharathipuram, has heightened anxiety among local residents. “Forest officials are nowhere to be seen when it comes to emergency situations or conducting night patrols, leaving Kulathupuzha vulnerable to recurring tragedies,” he alleged.

Workers at Rehabilitation Plantations Limited (RPL), Oil Palm India, and various private estates say they are currently forced to work under a constant cloud of fear. They demand immediate to contain gaurs and other wild animals within the forest boundaries. The residents of Kulathupuzha demand stepping up surveillance, repairing and strengthening border fencing and ensuring round-the-clock RRT patrolling along the forest fringes to restore safety.

Published - July 30, 2026 06:43 pm IST