Chennai, Mar 1 (BPNS)
Tamil Nadu forest department officials are tracking the 40 year old Makna elephant which was captured and relocated to deep forest after sedating it.
The elephant was released in Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) on February 24 after capturing it on February 23 using darts. However the forest department officials told BPNS that the animal is now healthy and is traversing 4 km per day in the deep forest. It is drinking water, grazing, urinating, defecating like other wild elephants.
A senior officer with the Tamil Nadu forest department while speaking to BPNS said, “The animal is now around 6 km from the Kerala border and we are tracking it propery.”
The animal was released in Ulanthy forest range in Manombaly and it is now near the backwaters of Parambikkulam dam site.
It is to be noted that the Tamil Nadu forest department has deputed a special team of forest officials to track the animal as it was not sedation free when released in the forests. The radio-collaring is helping the department officials on the exact location of the animal and whether it is again reaching some human settlements.
The Makhna elephant had created problems in several human settlements including Pollachi where the animal destroyed several residences and buildings.
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