Translocated wild elephant Chinna Thambi has been on the move, oscillating between Palani range of Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary and Amaravati Rage of Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), since 10 p.m. on Wednesday.
Forest range officers and anti-poaching watchers from Amaravati, Palani and Udumalpet ranges are currently monitoring the movement of the elephant. Chinna Thambi could either head to Andipatti Reserve Forest area in Palani range or to Navalodai in the ATR, senior officials said.
The elephant was currently roaming near Amaravati riverside, about 12km from the ATR borders, said V. Ganesan, Field Director of Anamalai Tiger Reserve. “The elephant has been roaming about 6-7 km south of Madathakulam village,” he said on Friday.
Chinna Thambi briefly sauntered into the Palani range near the eastern side of the river near Swaminathapuram village around 10 p.m. on Thursday.
K. Ganesh Ram, Forest Range Officer, Palani Range, said officers had been informing the villagers about the movement of the elephant ever since to avoid public disturbance and panic.
“Since the elephant has been on Amaravati riverside, we are unable to predict its movement. A total of 80 field-level officers and anti-poaching watchers have been overseeing the operation and we hope that both the animal and the public are peaceful through the process,” he said.
A senior officer, seeking anonymity, said villagers from the Palani range burst crackers to prevent the entry of the elephant. “There is low tolerance to the animal in their range as they are afraid of crop raiding,” he said.
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