Chinna Thambi remains in company of kumkis

February 06, 2019 01:10 am | Updated 08:20 am IST - Coimbatore

Wild elephant Chinna Thambi (left) with kumki Khaleem at Krishnapuram near Udumalpet on Tuesday.

Wild elephant Chinna Thambi (left) with kumki Khaleem at Krishnapuram near Udumalpet on Tuesday.

Wild elephant Chinna Thambi continues to be under the surveillance of the Forest Department at Krishnapuram near Udumalpet.

On Tuesday, the sixth day of his exit from Varagaliar forest near Top Slip, the radio collared tusker spent much time with Khaleem (55) and Mariappan (28), kumkis which were brought from Anamalai Tiger Reserve.

C. Dhanabalan, Forest Range Officer of Udumalpet range, said the elephant remained calm on Tuesday in the company of the two kumkis, especially Khaleem.

Elephant expert Ajay Desai, also consultant to the WWF-India, visited Krishnapuram on Tuesday and observed the elephant. The Forest Department had sought Mr. Desai’s expert opinion before translocating the elephant from Thadagam valley to Varagaliar on January 25.

N.S. Manoharan, Regional Joint Director of Veterinary Services, had assessed the elephant’s condition on Monday evening and found it to be healthy. The elephant was taking fodder and water. Its physical activities were also found normal.

Senior officials with the Forest Department said that the present plan was to keep the elephant safe until getting a direction from the Madras High Court. A team of Forest Department, especially frontline staff, are stationed at Krishnapuram.

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