 Attempt to tranquilize will continue today as well.

PALAKKAD: Palakkad Tusker 7 (PT7) who is creating havoc in the residential area of Dhoni could not be captured yesterday. Even though the elephant was spotted in the wild the team had to withdraw from tranquilization due to unfavorable conditions but continued to keep an eye out at night and took precautions to stop the elephant from moving deeper into the forest and residential area. Attempt to tranquilize the elephant will continue today.

The mission to capture him started by 4 am today morning. The elephant that reached Arimani in the first hour was bought under the surveillance of the team led by forest chief veterinary surgeon Dr. Arun Zacharia. The plan was to tranquilize the elephant once it reaches a safe spot all alone. But the elephant moving to steep areas between hills and moving back to the forest by 11:30 was a setback. The first team dropped the mission and returned to the office after that. Three kumki elephants were also returned.

There are 72 forest officers on the team. If they attempt to tranquilize the elephant at steep areas it may run away to escape. And it may fall while running leading to serious injuries and possible death as well. Hence the tranquilizer was not fired, said Dr. Arun Zacharia.

 PT7 the Killer

PT7 is a regular visitor in residential areas for the past 4 years. On 8th July 2022 he chased and killed Sivaraman, a Mayapuram native, who was on his morning walk routine. Dhoni, Mayapuram, Mundur, Akathethara, Malampuzha are his regular visiting spots. He is usually a loner but has been seen with company as well.