Forest personnel monitor Arikomban’s movement in Tirunelveli tiger reserve

After releasing the tranquilised wild elephant Arikompan in the Lower Gothaiyar Dam area in the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve shortly before Monday midnight, the forest personnel have camped there to monitor the movement of the tusker.

After releasing the tranquilised wild elephant Arikomban in the Lower Gothaiyar Dam area in the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve shortly before Monday midnight, the forest personnel have camped there to monitor the movement of the tusker.

“Since the elephant has the history of entering the residential areas within the forest and also invading the areas close to the forest boundaries in the past, we are monitoring the movement of Arikomban through the radio collar,” said sources in the Forest Department.

Before releasing the elephant into the jungle, the forest veterinarians accompanying the pachyderm treated it for the injuries sustained, especially on its trunk. Since the truck carrying the elephant could not be taken up to the scenic Muthukuzhivayal area, which falls under Kanniyakumari district, Arikomban was released in the Lower Gothaiyar Dam area, where it was seen enjoying a refreshing bath on Tuesday morning.

“It was released beyond the Gothaiyar Dam winch intersection,” said a forest officer.

If the elephant crossed the channel carrying water from the Lower Gothaiyar Dam and walked for about 4 km, it could easily reach the Muthukuzhivayal area, which has been abundantly blessed with vast stretches of grassy terrain and lots of undulations, water and bamboo, forest officials said.

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Moreover, this region is also situated close to the elephant corridors connecting the area with the forests of Kanniyakumari district like Pechipparai, Balamore and Keeriparai etc. and Kerala. Hence, the forest personnel believe that Arikomban would find a comforting environment in this region.