The Tirupattur division of the Forest Department on Saturday advised residents in 21 tribal habitations in Yelagiri Hills in Tirupattur to stay indoors especially during night to ensure their safety from wild animals.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Tirupattur division of the Forest Department on Saturday advised residents in 21 tribal habitations in Yelagiri Hills in Tirupattur to stay indoors especially during night to ensure their safety from wild animals.
The advisory comes in the wake of a 50-year-old coconut trader, S. Krishnamurthy, a resident of Jolarpet town in the plains, was attacked by a young sloth bear on the 12th hairpin bend of Yelagiri Main Road, which is maintained by the Forest Department. “The motorist sustained injuries on his left shoulder. He is currently treated at Government Taluk Hospital in Tirupattur town,” K.R. Cholarajan, forest range officer (Tirupattur), told The Hindu.
Forest officials said that it was around 11 a.m when the victim Krishnamurthy was returning to Jolarpet town on the stretch when he saw a sloth bear crossing the hairpin bend. He used to sell coconuts that are cultivated in the plains to tribals in the hills every day. He lost control of his two-wheeler and hit the animal. In return, the sloth bear attacked him. As a few motorists rushed to the spot, the animal vanished into the bushes. A case has been registered.
Forest officials said the Yelagiri Main Road is covered by Jolarpet Reserve Forest (RF), which covers around 3,500 hectares. The RF is home for spotted deer, sloth bear, peacocks and a variety of snakes. Along with neighbouring Mangalam RF, Jolarpet forest has more than 50 sloth bears.
Earlier, cattle rearing tribals were attacked by sloth bears inside Jolarpet RF six months ago. Forest officials are reaching out to the tribals in the hills to prevent unnecessary venturing out during night. They also advised residents to prevent children from playing alone outside their houses in the fringes of forests.
The 14-km-long Yelagiri Main Road, which has 14 hairpin bends, connects around 15,000 tribals in the hills to big towns in the plains. The stretch was widened to 5.5 metres to operate bus services to hamlets in the hills.
Published – July 27, 2025 12:40 am IST
