Arikomban will not be released in forest today; plea filed in Madras HC to hand over tusker to Kerala

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court ordered not to release Arikomban in the forest today. The decision was taken following a plea filed in the Madras High Court seeking to prevent the tusker from being released into the forest. Rebecca Joseph, a native of Ernakulam, approached the Madras High Court. The plea has demanded to hand over the elephant to Kerala. The Mathura bench will consider the plea again tomorrow at 10.30 am. Till then, the tusker will be in the custody of the forest department.

Arikomban was captured today early morning at Poosanampetti near Kambam after darting with tranquilizers. The shots were fired after it entered the residential area near Poosanampetti. After firing two shots, the tusker was taken in an elephant ambulance. The elephant who was in sedation was in his senses when the journey started. It extended its trunk to both sides of the vehicle. The wound seen earlier on the trunk of the elephant has still not healed. It is indicated that the elephant may be given a booster dose again in the vehicle itself.