By Jose Kavi

Kannur, May 16, 2026: The head of the Syro-Malabar Church on May 16 expressed concern over increasing wildlife attacks in the southern Indian state of Kerala and urged authorities to provide security to people living along forest borders.

Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil was mourning Gafoor Ali, a rubber tapping worker who was mauled to death by a tiger in the early hours of May 15 at Kalikavu village near Nilambur in Malappuram district.

The tiger reportedly grabbed Ali by the neck and dragged him into the forest while he was engaged in tapping in the Adaykakund rubber estate close to a forest.

Samad, a fellow tapper, said the tiger pounced on Ali from behind. “It was a sudden attack,” he added.

Hearing Samad’s cries for help, local people went after the tiger and found Ali’s body nearly 90 minutes later, five km away.

Ali’s body bore deep wounds on the neck and torso.

The 41-year-old Muslim worker is survived by his wife and three children.

Ali’s death sparked protests from local people who demanded the arrest of the district forest officer.

Archbishop Thattil expressed his grief and condolence to the family of the deceased, according to a press release from the Church’s public relations officer.

The prelate pointed out that wildlife attacks in populated areas have increased in the past several years.

Since January 1 this year, wild animals have reportedly claimed 25 lives in Kerala.

In 2024, a total of 57 people were killed by wild animals in the state.

“Those concerned should take immediate steps to provide adequate security to the lives and properties of the people living along the forest borders,” he asserted.

He bemoaned that people cannot now enter their farmlands as wildlife has multiplied in populated areas. He accused the forest department of being inactive, inefficient and indifferent to people’s woes.

“The government should take necessary steps to control wildlife by following the example of civilized societies and developed countries and should correct the inhumane actions and policies of the forest department,” the major archbishop said.

Father Philip Kaviyil, Catholic Congress global director and a priest of the Tellicherry archdiocese, lamented that the forest department officials have ignored the state chief minister’s directive to help protect people from wild animals.

“Elephants, tigers and even wild boars are killing farmers while the forest department is slapping cases on innocents for protecting their crops,” the priest bemoaned.

He told reporters on May 15 that the Catholic Congress will launch a statewide protest against the atrocities of the forest department officials.

Meanwhile, the state government has announced 1 million rupees as compensation to Ali’s family.