Tamil Nadu Forest Department has been monitoring the movement of the wild tusker 'Arikomban' near Kalakkad-Mundanthurai forest range since Tuesday. The elephant 'Arikomban' was tranquilised for the second time and translocated to the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai forest area on Tuesday.
According to IANS, the forest officials said that the elephant was taking a bath in the lower Gothaiyar dam on Tuesday. The officials were monitoring the elephant with the help of signals from the radio collar of the animal. The radio collar was attached when the elephant was tranquilised and captured in Chinnakanal, Idukki district of Kerala on April 29, 2023.
Taking to Twitter, Supriya Sahu, Addl Chief Secretary Environment Climate Change and Forest, TN said, "Cleans the grass well in tranquil waters before eating. Looks like soaking in the calm and beauty of his new home which we pray should be forever. Time will tell #Arikomban #TNForest #elephants."
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Arikomban, the tusker known for his love for rice and frequent raids in ration shops of Chinnakanal area of Idukki district, was transquilied and relocated from Chinnakanal on April 29. 'Arikomban' was translocated to Periyar Tiger Reserve.
From the forest region, 'Arikomban' started to rampage residential areas in Theni. It also led to the death of a resident in Cumbum. Following this, he was relocated on Tuesday.
However, animal lovers are opposed to the treatment meted out to the elephant. Stephen Daniel, a wildlife activist based out of Coimbatore while speaking to IANS said: "The elephant has been tranquilised on two occasions and firing tranquilisers at the animal will affect its health. The mental and physical agony the animal was undergoing is unfathomable and the forest departments of the two states have lot of answers to give."