Wild boars go after coconuts much to chagrin of Wayanad farmers

Wayanad: In a rare scenario, farmers in Ammani village near Erode are grappling with a new challenge- wild boars leaping up to steal tender coconuts directly from dwarf coconut trees.

Wild boars, which usually feed on fallen coconuts, have recently been spotted knocking down bunches of tender coconuts by jumping up from the ground. 

James Kanjirathinkal, a farmer from Ammani, said that most of the tender coconuts from his dwarf trees have been devoured by wild boars. "It is a recent phenomenon," he said, adding that wild boars plucking coconuts is a new trend.

"The dwarf variety starts bearing nuts very early, and even a small child can easily pluck them from the ground," he pointed out. "Earlier, the animals would only remove the husk of fallen coconuts and break open the shells to eat the kernel inside. But now, standing on their hind legs and pulling down coconuts using their sharp tusks and teeth is entirely new behaviour," he said. 

James further said that elephants had already destroyed a majority of their produce. "Now it is the turn of wild boars to finish off the rest," he added.

Farmers complain that after a brief lull, wild boar attacks on farmland near forest areas have increased again. They also allege that even house dogs are being attacked by the animals. The Panamaram village panchayat is yet to take any serious action against the growing menace, they pointed out.