Arikomban: Kerala’s Relocated Rice Eating Elephant Now Attacking PDS Shops in Tamil Nadu
Things are starting to look worrisome for the people of Manalar in Tamil Nadu. The rogue elephant, despite being relocated from its home, has not forgotten the old ways and has started attacking human settlements in search of rice. Manalar estate is situated around 10 kilometres from Meghamala — the new home to the relocated elephant.
Kochi: ‘Arikomban’, the wild tusker that used to rampage homes and Public Distribution (PDS) shops in Chinnakanal and Santhanpara areas of Kerala’s Idukki district was caught and relocated on March 31. The shifting of the elephant to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, situated 100 kilometres away from Chinnakanal, brought great relief to the people of Idukki.
However, if reports are to be believed, things are starting to look worrisome for the people of Manalar in Tamil Nadu. The rogue elephant, despite being relocated from its home, has not forgotten the old ways and has started attacking human settlements in search of rice. It attacked a PDS shop situated in Manalar estate in the early hours of Monday. Despite damaging the windows of the ration shop, Arikomban retreated back to the forest sans getting any rice, the Malayala Manorama said in a report. A few vehicles that were parked near the PDS stall were also left alone by the jumbo, the report added.
Manalar estate is situated around 10 kilometres from Meghamala — the new home to the relocated elephant. It was the Tamil Nadu Forest Department which confirmed that Arikomban caused Monday’s raid.
A task force led by the Kerala Forest Department had darted the animal before taking it to the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The elephant was reportedly let loose 20 km deep inside the forest. The Kerala High Court had earlier directed that the exact location of the animal’s release should not be revealed. A radio collar was attached to the elephant which will alert officials of its movement.
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