TN forest department tranquilizes Arikomban; tusker lifted into ambulance using Kumkis

KAMBAM: The authorities of the Tamil Nadu forest department captured Arikomban, who entered the residential area, after darting with tranquilizers. The elephant, which was standing in a coconut grove of a private person at Poosanampatti, was tranquilized Monday early morning. It is not clear where the elephant will be translocated. Tamil Nadu is considering four places including Vazhachal region and Meghamala.

A decision on translocating Arikomban will be taken after considering the health of the tusker. Two shots were fired at the tusker. With the help of three kumkis, the sedated elephant was lifted to the elephant ambulance. The health of the elephant is being examined. The elephant was lifted to the elephant ambulance around 5.30 am.

Arikomban the wild tusker was safely tranquilised in 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… pic.twitter.com/JVaKTvMYFl

— Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) June 5, 2023

The tusker was first captured on April 29 near Chinnakanal after darting with tranquilizers and then was translocated to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. However, after the elephant reached Kambam of Tamil Nadu, the forest department here decided to capture it after darting with tranquilizers.

The elephant landed in Kambam town in Tamil Nadu on the morning of May 27, less than a month after reaching Periyar. Five vehicles were vandalized and also created a tense situation here. With this, the forest department chased the elephant away from the inhabited area. Later decided to capture the elephant with the help of kumkis if it reached the inhabited area. Arikomban, who returned to the inhabited area again, was captured today. The place has been kept a secret as the information where it is being translocating is revealed, there will be public outrage similar to the one in Kerala. If its health condition is bad, it will be translocated at Meghamala near Kambam.