‘She Killed hundreds of Wild Elephants, Bison and Deer’- Popular Woman Forest Hunter

Popularly Known as “Shikkari” (Hunter) Kuttiyamma alias Thresia Thomas, the woman is known for his brave and fearless nature between the 1950s and 1965 in Kerala. She hails from a family of Hunters and provided her family by hunting hundreds of wild animals at her young age. Kuttiyamma continued his hunting until 1972 when the Central Government passed the Wild Life Protection Act.

Kuttiyama and her family including four siblings moved from Anchunadu Valley in Marayoor to other parts of Idukki in the early 1950s. When she was 17 years old, her brother was attacked by a bison and admitted in hospital under critical condition. As per The News Minute, the doctors wanted money or meat to cover medical expenses.

The 17-year-old Kuttiyama who was trained by one of her brothers stepped into the forest and killed a bison and provided the meat to doctors to save her brother’s life. Since then, she became a brave, bold and fearless hunter who have reportedly killed hundreds of animals including bison, deer and wild elephants. She would sell the meat at Marayoor Market and manage her family expenses. 

In a book named Kannan Devan Kannukul (The Hills of Kannan Devan) written by Journalist MJ Babu, Kuttiyamma’s bravery is described which has caught the attention of the readers. An excerpt from the book reads  “Once, she got a tiger cub from the forest and domesticated it at her house. Four months later, a forest official noticed this and advised her to leave the cub in the forest. After the Forest Protection Act was implemented, she not only took up farming but also engaged in forest protection activities"

Shikkari Kuttiyama passed away due to age-related illness on August 19 (Monday) at the age of 88. She is survived by her son VT Joseph and daughter-in-law Sherly. Her funeral was scheduled to happen at 3 pm on August 20 (Tuesday) in Anakkal St Antony's Church, Kottayam.