Rogue Elephant Arikomban Tranquilised By Tamil Nadu Forest Department Officials; To Be Taken To Undisclosed Location

Rogue elephant Arikomban, which entered the state after its recent translocation in neighbouring Kerala, is being taken to an undisclosed location after being tranquilised by forest department officials early this morning (5 June) at Poosanampatti in Theni district.

The decision to tranquilise the elephant was taken after it entered residential areas in Cumbum of Theni district, late last month. One person died and multiple vehicles were damaged.

Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of Paulraj, who lost his life.

The district administration imposed Section 144 to prevent crowding and power supply had to be cut as a precautionary measure.

A previous attempt to tranquilise it on 29 May had failed as the tusker retreated into a forest area.

The elephant had kept forest department officials of both states on their toes for more than a month.

After its translocation from Chinnakanal near Munnar in the Idukki district to the Periyar Tiger Reserve near Thekkady in Kerala, it crossed the inter-state border and entered Tamil Nadu’s Theni district.

During its long stay in the Megamalai area, it once came close to a state transport corporation bus and tried to open the door of a ration shop in search of rice. It was repeatedly chased back into the forest.

A couple of weeks back, it returned to Kumily in Kerala, but later re-entered Theni and eventually found its way into Cumbum.