Is not the widely used term “human-animal conflict” an unjust expression? The phrase immediately places the animal kingdom as the other, fostering even more suspicion and hatred towards wildlife. The expression also insinuates that wildlife shares equal responsibility for the conflicts with humans.
Following a series of unfortunate incidents in Wayanad that has resulted in the loss of precious human lives, some sections of the media went on overdrive, sensationalising news reports with phrases such as “killer elephant” and “rogue animal”.
Malayalam news channels repeatedly used expressions like kolayali aana (murderer elephant), portraying the elephant as if it had executed a planned murder. Strong words like aanappaka and aanakkali, meaning “elephant vengeance” or “elephant rage”, only served to fan the tensions in the hilly district. We all know that words carry weight, and such terms can shape and influence our thoughts and attitudes toward the wild.
