Man fined for attempting to feed wild elephant in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

Swift Summary

• A man attempted too feed bananas to a wild elephant near the Bannari check-post in Tamil Nadu’s Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR).
• The incident occurred on July 13 along the Dindigul-Bengaluru National Highway (NH 948), where stopping vehicles is prohibited to prevent human-animal conflict.
• the elephant chased the man, who quickly got into his car and drove away. A video of the incident went viral on social media.
• forest officials investigated using the vehicle registration number and identified the man as Gopalakrishnan, aged 58, from Annur taluk in Coimbatore district.
• He was summoned for questioning, admitted to his actions, and fined ₹10,000 under the Wildlife Protection Act by Deputy Director Kulal Yogesh Vilas.
• To promote awareness,forest officials released an educational video about legal consequences for feeding wildlife.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This case highlights ongoing challenges regarding human-animal interaction in protected areas like Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. Despite strict prohibitions against halting vehicles or engaging with wildlife along NH 948’s core reserve stretch,such incidents continue due to lack of awareness or disregard for laws. By enforcing a fine under the Wildlife Protection Act and sharing an educational video online, authorities have taken a commendable step toward deterring similar behaviors. These measures are crucial not only for ensuring public safety but also for mitigating stress on animals and avoiding escalation of human-wildlife conflicts. Ensuring consistent outreach programs aimed at fostering respect for wildlife laws can help create long-term behavioral change among travelers.

Read more: The Hindu article