Killer elephant gives kumkis the slip

Forest department identifies it as a ‘habitual offender’ from Kerala that raids crops

The lone tusker that killed forest guard Muthusamy is said to have strayed out of the forests last week. There were reports that two villagers, Kumar and Chinnadurai, sustained injuries when the elephant charged at them, but this was yet to be confirmed at the time of going to the press.The elephant had triggered panic among local residents and kept forest personnel on their toes. In a bit to restrict its movement and drive it back deep into the forests, the Forest department deployed two of its kumki elephants, at Madukkarai. They were brought from Anamalai and Mudumalai tiger reserves to ensure there is no man-animal conflict.

The kumki elephants - Pari (36) and Sujay (44) - were stationed at Madukkarai to track the movement of the tusker. But the tusker gave them the slip by taking a detour of nearly three km before entering human habitations.

The elephant was seen raiding crops at Meenatchipuram, Nachipalayam, Vazhukkuparai and Kammanaickenpalayam over the last few days. Forest officials identified the jumbo as a ‘habitual offender’ from Kerala that raids crops here.

Conservator of Forests I. Anwardeen and District Forest Officer M. Senthil Kumar had deputed a team of forest staff to track the jumbo and drive it back into the forest.

Besides deploying two kumkis, the officials had formed a team of 30 forest staff led by Range Officer Mr. Dinesh Kumar.