From 2015 to July 31, 2025, a total of 685 people died in wild animal attacks across Tamil Nadu. The Forest Department data shows a decline in deaths this year with 43 fatalities in 2025, down from 79 in 2024 and 84 in 2023. Elephants caused the most deaths, claiming 522 lives over 10 years, followed by gaur (94), wild boar (22), deer (12), and bears (9). The year 2019 had the highest number of elephant-related deaths with 62 cases. D. Venkatesh, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Anamalai Tiger Reserve, shared these numbers at a workshop for Forest Department officers held on January 28, 2026, in Coimbatore. He expressed concern over conflicts in Western Ghats districts like Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Madurai, and Coimbatore, and Eastern Ghats districts such as Erode and Dharmapuri. Key causes include habitat loss due to human pressure, lack of fodder and water, spread of invasive species, forest encroachment, and fragmented forests. Changes in cropping near forests attract animals closer to human settlements, escalating risks. Venkatesh said, "Straying of elephants into villages for fodder and water is causing mortalities and injuries not just to humans; it is also impacting the quality of life of the elephants, as they get injured, develop infections and diseases. The conflict situation can only be mitigated through human approach and there is no use in finding fault with wild animals." The elephant population in Tamil Nadu rose to 3,170 in 2025. Tiger numbers also increased to 306 according to the All India Tiger Estimation 2022. Senior forest officials and researchers attended the workshop to discuss these issues.