Tamil Nadu recorded 685 deaths due to wild animal attacks from 2015 to July 2025, according to the Forest Department. Elephant attacks caused 522 deaths, followed by gaur (94), wild boar (22), deer (12), and bears (9). Deaths in 2025 dropped to 43 from 79 in 2024 and 84 in 2023. The deadliest year was 2019, with 62 elephant-related deaths. D. Venkatesh, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Anamalai Tiger Reserve, shared this data at a workshop in Coimbatore on January 28, 2026. He highlighted that Western Ghats districts like Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, and Coimbatore, among others, face serious conflict issues. Eastern Ghats districts Erode, Krishnagiri, and Dharmapuri are also affected. The main reasons behind these conflicts include habitat destruction due to human pressure, lack of fodder and water, invasive species, forest land encroachments, expanding human settlements near forests, and fragmented habitats. Changes in crop types near forest edges attract animals, increasing encounters. “Straying of elephants into villages for fodder and water is causing mortalities and injuries not just to humans; it is also impacting the quality of life of the elephants, as they get injured, develop infections and diseases. The conflict situation can only be mitigated through human approach and there is no use in finding fault with wild animals,” said Mr. Venkatesh. Tamil Nadu’s elephant population rose to 3,170 in 2025. Tiger numbers also increased to 306 in the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation. The workshop was attended by senior forest officials, researchers, and stakeholders.