Chennai, May 27 (BPNS)
Tamil Nadu forest department has issued orders to dart the Rogue wild elephant, ‘Arikomban’ which reached Cumbum town on Saturday. The elephant which was relocated from the Chinnakanal area in Idukki district to the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) is attached with a radio collar after it was relocated to the PTR on April 29. The elephant will be tranquilized on Sunday as generally after 3 pm the elephant will not be darted.
The Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Meghamalai is in charge of the operation to tranquilize the elephant and to relocate it to Varasunadu valley area. The forest department of Tamil Nadu in its order said that the elephant has to be immediately tranquilized and relocated to the deep forests. The department said that if the elephant again reaches human settlements, it could pose threat to human life. Tamil Nadu forest department veterinarians, Dr. Kalaivanan and Dr. Prakash will lead the operation. Kumki elephants will also be brought to Cumbum town to help the forest department to relocate the elephant.
The Kerala forest minister, AK. Saseendran while speaking to media persons on Saturday said that the state forest department was for capturing the elephant and converting it into a Kumki elephant. However following a petition by animal activists, the high court of Kerala prevented the elephant to be captured and instead directed to relocate the elephant in a forest area where water and grass were available in plenty and hence the elephant was relocated to Periyar Tiger Reserve.
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