Rampaging Elephant Arikomban Safely Tranquilized in Tamil Nadu, Set to Return to Deep Forests
The notorious rice-loving elephant, known as Arikomban, was captured for the second time on Monday after causing chaos in human habitats and ration shops. Initially captured in Kerala and then in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district, the 35-year-old elephant will now be released deep into the forests of the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tirunelveli district. Forest officials are taking precautions to ensure Arikomban’s safety and have decided to keep the specific location undisclosed to prevent unnecessary human interference.
The Tamil Nadu forest department will closely monitor Arikomban while considering the possibility of a permanent solution. Due to the immense interest surrounding the elephant, only a select few government officials are aware of potential plans to relocate him. Public safety remains a priority, and the officials aim to prevent any potential harm to both humans and the elephant. This decision to limit information dissemination is made to discourage people from flocking to witness the elephant, given the significant attention the case has garnered.
Arikomban, named after his penchant for rice, had intruded into human habitats and ration shops, earning a notorious reputation. The elephant’s presence has resulted in several fatalities, including the death of a 56-year-old man in Theni on May 30. In neighboring Kerala, Arikomban reportedly killed eight individuals and caused extensive damage to houses and shops over the past two years.
When Arikomban was tranquilized in the early hours of Monday, a large crowd gathered along the transportation route, cheering as he was loaded onto a truck. For a month, the elephant had instilled fear among the locals, prompting the imposition of section 144 by the district authority.
Arikomban initially strayed into the Tamil Nadu forest area on April 30 after being translocated by the Kerala Forest Department to the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala. Local villagers in Kerala protested for their safety, expressing concerns about the life-threatening situation. Animal rights groups also stepped in, leading the court to reject the Kerala Forest Department’s plan to train Arikomban as a kumki elephant—a trained elephant used to tame and capture wild elephants.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin assured the capture of the elephant, and the state issued compensation for damages caused by Arikomban. After days of searching, a team of forest veterinary surgeons successfully tranquilized the elephant in Chinnaobulapuram village, near Cumbum in Theni.
Powerful Majestic Wild Tusker Arikomban Safely Tranquilized in Tamil Nadu, Set to Return Triumphantly to the Depths of the Forest
Additional Chief Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Supriya Sahu, confirmed the safe tranquilization of Arikomban and announced his translocation to a suitable habitat. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department will continue to monitor the elephant’s well-being.
S. Bharathidasan, an animal rights activist and secretary of Coimbatore-based NGO Arulagam, expressed disappointment at the limited choices available for wild elephants like Arikomban, suggesting that they either undergo intensive training to become kumki elephants or remain isolated. He questioned the opposition to allowing the elephant to return to its natural habitat and expressed concerns about temporary arrangements made to appease public sentiment.
In conclusion, Arikomban, the rampaging elephant, has been successfully tranquilized and is now set to be released deep into the forests, ensuring the safety of both humans and the elephant itself. Efforts are being made to find a permanent solution while considering public interest and the well-being of wildlife.