Wild Tusker Arikomban Tranqualised In TN, To Be Translocated To Deep Forest

However, Tamil Nadu government is tight-lipped on the location 'Arikomban' is going to be translocated.

The wild tusker, Arikomban, which was tranquilised by Tamil Nadu government on early Monday is yet to get a habitat. However, Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Tamil Nadu said, efforts are going on to translocate the tusker to a suitable habitat. 

According to PTI, a team of four doctors is monitoring the health of the tusker. Three kumki elephants and three veterinarians were also deployed by the Tamil Nadu forest department to capture the elephant on Monday.

Yet, till now Tamil Nadu government is tight-lipped on the location 'Arikomban' will be translocated. 

On Monday, IAS Supriya Sahu said, "Arikomban the wild tusker was safely tranquilised in the early hours today in Cumbum East Range by a team of Forest Veterinary Surgeons and Forest Department officials. The elephant is being translocated to a suitable habitat where the Tamil Nadu Forest Department will continue to monitor him #TNForest."

However, the people of Manimuthur Checkpost have started to stage a protest against the translocation of Arikomban to Manimuthar Tiger Reserve. 

Protest By Manimuthur Residents

After the forest department brought Arikomban to Manimuthar Tiger Reserve, the people of Manimuthur protested by stating that bringing the elephant to Manimuthar area would create havoc, as per a report on IANS. Manimuthur forest range is in Western Ghats. 

Manimuthur is the home for 300 families mainly for some working in the Manchola tea estate.

Arikomban was tranquilised by Tamil Nadu government, after the elephant went on a rampage in Theni which resulted in the death of Paulraj, a Cumbum resident, while driving his two-wheeler.

Earlier, Arikomban, the elephant known for its love for rice, was captured by Kerala government from the Chinnakanal forest range in Idukki district and relocated to Periyar Tiger Reserve on April 29.

Meanwhile, Supriya Sahu requested the media to not brand wild animals as 'rogue'. She said, "Please do not brand wild animals as 'Rogue'. These are animals caught in a conflict situation. They are as stressed and as vulnerable as human beings. We need to understand the circumstances in which they are caught for no fault of theirs."