CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu wildlife authorities captured the 35-year-old wild tusker Arikomban — an elephant fond of eating rice — in Chinnaobulapuram village near Cumbum of Theni district early on Monday morning.
The elephant entered Tamil Nadu from forests of Kerala more than a month ago.
S Anand, deputy director of Srivilliputhur Meghamalai tiger reserve, said, “The pachyderm was captured between 4am and 5am on Monday.”
The elephant entered Tamil Nadu from forests of Kerala more than a month ago.
S Anand, deputy director of Srivilliputhur Meghamalai tiger reserve, said, “The pachyderm was captured between 4am and 5am on Monday.”
The animal was moving in Chinnaobulapuram, where a team of veterinarians darted it. Within the next few minutes, the animal got sedated.
With the help of kumkhi elephants, which came from Aanamalai tiger reserve and Mudumalai tiger reserve, the captured Arikomban was made to board a forest department truck — specially designed to transport elephants.
“Due to the its popularity, the state wildlife authorities have decided not to disclose the location where the tusker will be released. If the location is known, it will increase the curiosity of people to have a look at the animal,” Anand said.