Human-elephant conflicts cause fatalities and crop damage in Malaysia and India

Increasing human-elephant conflicts are causing fatalities and economic losses in Malaysia and India. In Kampung Gambaron, Malaysia, wild elephants have been entering residential areas and farms since 2019. Residents report significant damage to oil palm plantations, fruits, and vegetables, with some plantation losses exceeding RM5,000. Villagers have expressed fear regarding the animals approaching homes and have called for more effective monitoring and relocation efforts, noting that existing electric fences have proven ineffective.

In the Munnar region of Kerala, India, the conflict has turned deadly. A recent study by the Wildlife Institute of India covering 2008 to 2025 recorded 581 human deaths and 1,200 injuries across Kerala, with the Munnar landscape accounting for 103 of those deaths. The study also noted 695 wild elephant deaths in the state, with 226 attributed to human-induced causes such as electrocution and train collisions. Researchers attribute the rising tension to habitat fragmentation and the overlap of human infrastructure, roads, and agriculture with elephant movement corridors.