KOCHI: A resort owner adopted a cruel method by placing concrete nails in the soil around the private land to drive away wild elephants. In Ernakulam Perumbavoor, near Panamkuzhikadavu, a tourist area, around the one-acre resort on the banks of the Periyar in the forest boundary, 1.5-meter-wide concrete has been laid at the ground level and four inches long sharp iron nails have been laid. The construction of the nail trap costing lakhs in a radius of 600 meters was completed a week ago. The forest department officials visited the place last day after learning about the incident.

If the nail gets stuck in the foot, the elephant is sure to become infected and die within days. This is the first time that such a trap to chase wild animals has come to the attention of the forest department.

​​​​​Even if it is on private land, such dangerous acts are criminal offences. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, a case can be filed under the non-bailable section for charges including animal poaching. This area is included in Kodanad Range of Malayattoor Division of Forest Department. Wild elephant presence is regular in the area. A leopard had also entered in the area months ago.

“The landowner has been instructed to demolish the elephant trap. Strict action will be taken if he fails to do so.”, said Ravikumar Meena, DFO, Malayattoor Forest Division.