On the night of February 6, 2025, a devastating incident unfolded in Koottanad, Palakkad district, Kerala, India, during a religious ceremony at the Koottanadu Shuhada Makham mosque. A captive elephant named Vallamkulam Narayanan Kutty, participating in the annual ‘nercha’ ceremony, went on a rampage, killing its mahout, 50-year-old Kunjumon Ibrahim, and injuring another person. The tragedy, which occurred around 11:45 PM, has reignited concerns about the safety of using elephants in crowded festival settings.
An elephant which was brought for the arat ritual at Mandarakadavu in connection with the Arattupuzha pooram, attacked a fellow elephant. pic.twitter.com/0mlgjhSM3T
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) March 23, 2024
The Incident
The ‘nercha’ ceremony, held annually to commemorate saints laid to rest at the Koottanadu Shuhada Makham mosque, is a significant cultural and religious event in the region, drawing large crowds and featuring processions with multiple elephants. On this fateful night, Vallamkulam Narayanan Kutty, one of several elephants from 28 teams participating in the ‘Gaja Sangam’ procession, was being led back from the event when it suddenly turned violent.
According to eyewitnesses, the elephant attacked its mahout, Kunjumon Ibrahim from Changanassery, Kottayam, trampling him on the Koottanad-Tannirkode Road. At the time, three people were riding the elephant. One managed to jump onto a nearby autorickshaw and escape, while two others fell under the elephant’s feet but miraculously fled to safety. Kunjumon, however, was not so fortunate. He was rushed to a hospital in Kunnamkulam but succumbed to his injuries en route.
The rampage did not end with the mahout’s death. The enraged elephant went on to damage several vehicles, including ten motorcycles and five autorickshaws, before being restrained by authorities. Another individual sustained minor injuries during the chaos, though details about their identity remain limited.
Background and Context
Kunjumon Ibrahim, aged 50 according to some reports and 42 according to others, was an experienced mahout, a profession that involves training and handling elephants for ceremonial and cultural events. Elephants like Vallamkulam Narayanan Kutty are often used in Kerala’s temple and mosque festivals, symbolizing grandeur and tradition. However, such practices have come under increasing scrutiny due to recurring incidents of elephants becoming agitated in crowded, noisy environments.
This was not an isolated event. Just a month earlier, on January 7, 2025, another elephant went wild during a mosque ceremony in Malappuram, Kerala, injuring 24 people and causing widespread panic. Similar incidents have been reported across the state, including a fatal stampede in February 2025 at a temple festival in Koyilandy, where two elephants killed three people. According to the Heritage Animal Task Force, captive elephants have been responsible for 526 human deaths in Kerala over a 15-year period, highlighting the growing risks associated with their use in festivals.
Aftermath and Response
The incident sparked outrage among locals and animal rights advocates. The police launched an investigation to determine what triggered the elephant’s aggression, with initial reports suggesting that the noisy and crowded environment may have played a role. Authorities relocated Vallamkulam Narayanan Kutty from the scene to prevent further incidents.
PETA India, a prominent animal rights organization, reiterated its call for temples and mosques in Kerala to retire live elephants and adopt mechanical alternatives. Since early 2023, PETA has donated eight robotic elephants to temples in Kerala and Karnataka, with a recent donation to a Thrissur temple in collaboration with Grammy-nominated sitar player Anoushka Shankar. These lifelike mechanical elephants, made from materials like rubber, fiber, and steel, can mimic real elephant movements, offering a safer and cruelty-free alternative for ceremonial use.
The tragedy has also prompted discussions about the welfare of captive elephants. Many are subjected to harsh training methods, including beatings with bullhooks, and are often chained for hours in stressful conditions. Such treatment can lead to frustration and unpredictable behavior, endangering both the animals and humans.
Broader Implications
The Koottanad incident underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations governing the use of elephants in public events. While these animals hold cultural significance in Kerala, their welfare and the safety of festival attendees must take precedence. The growing adoption of mechanical elephants suggests a potential path forward, balancing tradition with modern ethical standards.
For the family of Kunjumon Ibrahim, however, no solution can undo the loss. His death serves as a somber reminder of the risks faced by mahouts, who dedicate their lives to working with these majestic yet unpredictable creatures. As Kerala grapples with this latest tragedy, the hope is that meaningful reforms will prevent such incidents in the future.
Conclusion
The horrific events of February 6, 2025, in Koottanad have left a community in mourning and a state in reflection. The death of Kunjumon Ibrahim and the injuries caused by Vallamkulam Narayanan Kutty highlight the dangers of using captive elephants in crowded ceremonies. As calls for change grow louder, the people of Kerala face a critical choice: preserve tradition at the cost of lives or embrace safer alternatives to honor their cultural heritage.