<p>In Kerala, where nearly 30 per cent of the land is forested, human-wildlife conflicts are commonplace. A&nbsp;recent episode unfolded during the Arattupuzha Pooram festival in Thrissur district, where an elephant, part of the festival's rituals at Mandarakadavu, attacked another elephant on Thursday (Mar 21).</p>

<p>A viral video captured the chaos, showing a decorated elephant charging and hitting another as spectators panicked. Reports also mention another elephant behaving aggressively. Two people&nbsp;were injured while fleeing, and several vehicles were damaged.</p>

<p><strong>Watch the video here:</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">An elephant brought for the arat ritual at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mandarakadavu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mandarakadavu</a> attacked a fellow elephant. The incident happened in Thrissur, Kerala.<br />
Credit: X <a href="https://t.co/q02LgcLOP8">pic.twitter.com/q02LgcLOP8</a></p>
— Sanat Singh (@sanat_design) <a href="https://twitter.com/sanat_design/status/1771435507773267974?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2><strong>Cultural significance of Arattupuzha Pooram</strong></h2>

<p>Arattupuzha Pooram, celebrated at the Sree Sastha Temple in Thrissur, holds immense cultural importance as Kerala's oldest pooram festival. Spanning seven days annually, it is revered as a sacred gathering of deities.</p>

<p>Despite its modest size, Kerala faces challenges with human settlements encroaching upon forested areas. Rapid urbanisation and agricultural expansion further blur the lines between humans and wildlife.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elephant-charges-at-safari-truck-lifting-it-off-the-ground-watch-703235">Also read |&nbsp;Elephant charges at safari truck, lifting it off the ground: WATCH</a></p>

<h2><strong>Escalation of conflicts</strong></h2>

<p>Recent years have seen a spike in incidents where human lives are endangered due to encounters with wild animals. Recognising the gravity of these situations, the Kerala cabinet designated human-animal conflicts as a state-specific disaster.</p>

<p>In a similar situation of human-elephant confrontation, during a recent safari expedition in South Africa's Pilanesberg Game Reserve, the safari guide found himself in a harrowing confrontation with an enraged elephant. The incident took place at the Rathlogo Bird Hide within the reserve, where tourists are allowed to disembark from their vehicles and explore the area under specific guidelines.</p>

<p>As the guests were taking a break, the safari guide noticed an elephant bull approaching their location. One of the tourists captured footage of the encounter, which later spread on social media.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Plastic's devastating impact on wildlife</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/plastics-devastating-impact-on-wildlife-691033/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>While elephants generally avoid confrontations with humans or vehicles when given adequate space, their behaviour can become unpredictable, particularly when they enter a heightened hormonal state known as musth, marked by increased aggression.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


In Kerala, where nearly 30 per cent of the land is forested, human-wildlife conflicts are commonplace. A recent episode unfolded during the Arattupuzha Pooram festival in Thrissur district, where an elephant, part of the festival's rituals at Mandarakadavu, attacked another elephant on Thursday (Mar 21).

In Kerala, where nearly 30 per cent of the land is forested, human-wildlife conflicts are commonplace. A recent episode unfolded during the Arattupuzha Pooram festival in Thrissur district, where an elephant, part of the festival's rituals at Mandarakadavu, attacked another elephant on Thursday (Mar 21). A viral video captured the chaos, showing a decorated elephant charging and hitting another as spectators panicked. Reports also mention another elephant behaving aggressively. Two people were injured while fleeing, and several vehicles were damaged. Watch the video here: An elephant brought for the arat ritual at #Mandarakadavu attacked a fellow elephant. The incident happened in Thrissur, Kerala. Credit: X pic.twitter.com/q02LgcLOP8 — Sanat Singh (@sanat_design) March 23, 2024 × Cultural significance of Arattupuzha Pooram Arattupuzha Pooram, celebrated at the Sree Sastha Temple in Thrissur, holds immense cultural importance as Kerala's oldest pooram festival. Spanning seven days annually, it is revered as a sacred gathering of deities. Despite its modest size, Kerala faces challenges with human settlements encroaching upon forested areas. Rapid urbanisation and agricultural expansion further blur the lines between humans and wildlife. Also read | Elephant charges at safari truck, lifting it off the ground: WATCH Escalation of conflicts Recent years have seen a spike in incidents where human lives are endangered due to encounters with wild animals. Recognising the gravity of these situations, the Kerala cabinet designated human-animal conflicts as a state-specific disaster. In a similar situation of human-elephant confrontation, during a recent safari expedition in South Africa's Pilanesberg Game Reserve, the safari guide found himself in a harrowing confrontation with an enraged elephant. The incident took place at the Rathlogo Bird Hide within the reserve, where tourists are allowed to disembark from their vehicles and explore the area under specific guidelines. As the guests were taking a break, the safari guide noticed an elephant bull approaching their location. One of the tourists captured footage of the encounter, which later spread on social media. Also watch | Plastic's devastating impact on wildlife While elephants generally avoid confrontations with humans or vehicles when given adequate space, their behaviour can become unpredictable, particularly when they enter a heightened hormonal state known as musth, marked by increased aggression. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH: Fully decorated Kerala temple elephant goes berserk upon spotting another tusker

<p>This year, Florida has been dealing with a massive die-off of manatees, with 959 documented deaths as of Oct. 1. This has already been the deadliest year on record, and according to state estimates, further colder weather may cause another wave of deaths among the estimated 7,500 to 10,200 manatees along both Florida coasts.</p>

<p>Manatee deaths this year are expected to double the 593 recorded in 2020, and exceed the state's latest five-year average of 146 deaths, with no end to the die-off in sight.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iucns-red-list-puts-focus-back-on-worlds-endangered-species-410901">IUCN’s Red List puts focus back on world's endangered species</a></strong></p>

<p>"There is a huge sense of urgency," said Gil McRae, director of the state Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. "We're uncertain how long it's (high manatee deaths) going to be."</p>

<p>Who is to blame? Because of fertiliser runoff, wastewater discharges and deliberately diverted water from Lake Okeechobee to coastal estuaries, the seagrass on which so-called sea cows rely is dying.</p>

<p>Additionally, these pollutants can lead to algae blooms so dense that seagrass cannot get enough sunlight to survive. Since 2009, 58 per cent of the seagrass in the Indian River Lagoon has been lost.</p>

<p>Florida is at a crossroads with regards to water quality and climate, says JP Brooker, Florida director for the Ocean Conservancy environmental group.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/koalas-may-get-an-unfortunate-bump-up-from-vulnerable-to-endangered-392426">Koalas may get an unfortunate bump up: From vulnerable to endangered</a></strong></p>

<p>Because of human activity, Florida waters have become inhospitable to them, he added. “It's not just our manatees at risk, it's a coast-wide ecological problem.”</p>

<p>Florida legislators have approved $8 million in state funding for a manatee habitat restoration programme. However, with cooler winter months ahead, more manatees are likely to starve before the restoration work is complete if they congregate in warmer waters.</p>

<p>“Seagrass restoration doesn't happen overnight. We can't really start planting seagrass until we have water quality improvements,” said Michael Sole, vice chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.</p>

<p>“The winter is coming.”</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/polar-bears-return-to-pacific-arctic-for-first-time-in-20-years-423062">Polar bears return to Pacific Arctic for first time in 20 years</a></strong></p>

<p>During the upcoming legislative session, the commission is asking for an additional $7 million for projects such as seagrass restoration and manatee rehabilitation centres. Researchers are also studying whether humans can feed manatees without harming them, McRae said at a hearing last week.</p>

<p>“Those of you that have paid attention to feeding wildlife know that almost universally, it does more harm than good,” McRae told lawmakers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But if the manatees' numbers keep plummeting, “there's a possibility some level of supplemental feeding might be in order,” he said.</p>

<p>Manatees have struggled to withstand humans for decades. Boat strikes kill dozens of the slow-moving animals despite no-wake zones in areas the animals frequent, and many more bear lifelong scars from such encounters. There are also threats from red tide outbreaks and unusually cold weather.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Amid food scarcity, Florida manatees dying in record numbers</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/amid-food-scarcity-florida-manatees-dying-in-record-numbers-424500/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div>These gentle giants can weigh as much as 1,200 pounds (550 kilogrammes) and live up to 65 years or so. The manatee is Florida's official state mammal and is closely related to elephants.</div>

<p>Fish and Wildlife Service listed manatees as endangered in 1966, a designation that was downgraded to threatened in 2016. In an attempt to increase the chances of long-term recovery for manatees, a new campaign is underway to list the animals as endangered once again.</p>


This year, Florida has been dealing with a massive die-off of manatees, with 959 documented deaths as of Oct. 1. This has already been the deadliest year on record, and according to state estimates, further colder weather may cause another wave of deaths among the estimated 7,500 to 10,200 manatees along both Florida coasts.

This year, Florida has been dealing with a massive die-off of manatees, with 959 documented deaths as of Oct. 1. This has already been the deadliest year on record, and according to state estimates, further colder weather may cause another wave of deaths among the estimated 7,500 to 10,200 manatees along both Florida coasts. Manatee deaths this year are expected to double the 593 recorded in 2020, and exceed the state's latest five-year average of 146 deaths, with no end to the die-off in sight. Also read | IUCN’s Red List puts focus back on world's endangered species "There is a huge sense of urgency," said Gil McRae, director of the state Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. "We're uncertain how long it's (high manatee deaths) going to be." Who is to blame? Because of fertiliser runoff, wastewater discharges and deliberately diverted water from Lake Okeechobee to coastal estuaries, the seagrass on which so-called sea cows rely is dying. Additionally, these pollutants can lead to algae blooms so dense that seagrass cannot get enough sunlight to survive. Since 2009, 58 per cent of the seagrass in the Indian River Lagoon has been lost. Florida is at a crossroads with regards to water quality and climate, says JP Brooker, Florida director for the Ocean Conservancy environmental group. Also read | Koalas may get an unfortunate bump up: From vulnerable to endangered Because of human activity, Florida waters have become inhospitable to them, he added. “It's not just our manatees at risk, it's a coast-wide ecological problem.” Florida legislators have approved $8 million in state funding for a manatee habitat restoration programme. However, with cooler winter months ahead, more manatees are likely to starve before the restoration work is complete if they congregate in warmer waters. “Seagrass restoration doesn't happen overnight. We can't really start planting seagrass until we have water quality improvements,” said Michael Sole, vice chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “The winter is coming.” Also read | Polar bears return to Pacific Arctic for first time in 20 years During the upcoming legislative session, the commission is asking for an additional $7 million for projects such as seagrass restoration and manatee rehabilitation centres. Researchers are also studying whether humans can feed manatees without harming them, McRae said at a hearing last week. “Those of you that have paid attention to feeding wildlife know that almost universally, it does more harm than good,” McRae told lawmakers. But if the manatees' numbers keep plummeting, “there's a possibility some level of supplemental feeding might be in order,” he said. Manatees have struggled to withstand humans for decades. Boat strikes kill dozens of the slow-moving animals despite no-wake zones in areas the animals frequent, and many more bear lifelong scars from such encounters. There are also threats from red tide outbreaks and unusually cold weather. Watch | Amid food scarcity, Florida manatees dying in record numbers These gentle giants can weigh as much as 1,200 pounds (550 kilogrammes) and live up to 65 years or so. The manatee is Florida's official state mammal and is closely related to elephants. Fish and Wildlife Service listed manatees as endangered in 1966, a designation that was downgraded to threatened in 2016. In an attempt to increase the chances of long-term recovery for manatees, a new campaign is underway to list the animals as endangered once again.

Humanity's latest victim: Amid food scarcity, Florida manatees dying in record numbers

Sri Lanka has recorded the highest number of elephant deaths in the world and questions are being raised about the nation's conservation efforts.

Sri Lanka the most conflicted nation with elephants' lives