Arikomban is healthy, released into forest after treatment; Tamil Nadu Forest Department opens up about mission

CUMBUM: The Tamil Nadu Forest Department on Tuesday said that rogue tusker Arikomban is healthy. Arikomban, which was tranquilized and captured on Monday, has been released in the Upper Kodayar forest area by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Officials announced that the mission was successfully completed and that the forest department team has returned from the forest. However, the officials will continue to monitor the elephant.

The elephant was released in the Upper Kodayar forest area, which is adjacent to the Neyyar and Shenthuruni forest areas in southern Kerala. Due to his poor health condition, Arikomban was given treatment before he was released into the forest. Adequate treatment has been given to the elephant's wounds. The elephant was kept in the animal ambulance for several hours. Although released into the forest, the forest department will continue to monitor the elephant via radio collar.

The forest department decided to tranquilize the elephant after it entered the residential area of Cumbum on May 27 and created a tense situation. As part of this, prohibitory orders were imposed in Cumbum Municipality.

The mission ended when Arikomban disappeared into the forest after making all arrangements. However, the forest department later tranquilized and captured the elephant when it entered the residential area near Poosanamppetti.