THRISSUR: Elephant Thiruvambadi Kuttishankaran has died. The elephant was handed over to the forest department a year and a half ago but was not taken by the department and it stayed in Thrissur itself. Kuttisankaran was owned by Davis, an elephant lover.

After Davis' s death, the ownership of the elephant was transferred to his wife, Omana. Trusts and some temples were willing to take over the elephant but the law did not allow the transfer. That's when Davis' family decided to donate the 68-year-old elephant to the Forest Department. The forest department issued an order that the elephant will be taken over immediately after receiving the application. The elephant was taken over by the forest department as the ownership of the elephant could not be transferred to private individuals under the new law.

The elephant had to be taken to the Kodanad Elephant Centre on the same day after her medical examination. Kuttisankaran was a regular presence during festival fields of Kerala including Thrissur Pooram. Kuttisankaran came to Kerala from UP in 1979. Davis acquired it in 1987. Even after being given to the forest department, Kuttishankaran's expenses were borne by the old owner. Rs 50,000 per month was the expense. Thiruvambadi and elephant lovers are shocked by the demise of Kuttisankaran, who were about to celebrate Thrissur Pooram after the Covid break.