Kerala’s Beloved Wild Elephant ‘Chillikomban’ Tragically Dies After Being Swept Away in Parambikulam Aliyar Project Canal

Chillikomban, a celebrated wild elephant of Kerala’s Nelliampathi hills, tragically died after being swept away in the Parambikulam Aliyar Project contour canal in Coimbatore district on May 23, 2026. The tusker became trapped in the 20-feet deep canal while attempting to drink water, ultimately struggling to breathe against the strong currents. Despite prompt action from the Forest Department and efforts to rescue the elephant with a backhoe, the tusker was found dead later that evening.

The carcass of Chillikomban was located in the Thirumoorthy dam, where strong water currents delayed recovery efforts. Authorities decided to retrieve the body to prevent it from being carried further into the dam’s reservoir. Many local residents and biologists expressed sorrow over the loss, noting that Chillikomban had a long history of peacefully coexisting with people in the region and posed no threat to them.

The death of Chillikomban marks the second incident of an elephant drowning in the same canal this year, raising urgent concerns about wildlife safety. A report from WWF India earlier emphasized the need for safety measures, such as constructing ramps at canal entry points, to mitigate wildlife mortality. D. Boominathan from WWF-India highlighted that the recurring tragedies underline the importance of implementing these recommendations promptly to ensure the protection of local wildlife.