Kerala Forest Team Tranquillises Stray Tusker, Fits Radio Collar After Public Outcry

In Kerala's Ernakulam district, a lone tusker that had been frequently straying into residential areas in Kottapady and Pindimana grama panchayats under the Kothamangalam block has been tranquillised and fitted with a radio collar by a forest team. The operation followed sustained public outcry over the threat posed by the animal.

The tusker was sighted early Thursday along the forest fringes near Vadakkumbagham in Kottappara, Kottapady panchayat. A team from the Kodanad forest range office, including a veterinarian, entered the forest to track the animal while another team was positioned outside to prevent it from entering populated areas. Officials also expressed concern about the elephant's health.

Local elected representatives, including MP Dean Kuriakose and MLA Shibu Thekkumpuram, were present during the operation, along with panchayat members led by Kottapady president Umesh Sivakumar and Pindimana president K.P. George.

Speaking about the severity of the situation, Mr. Sivakumar noted, “The animal has posed serious threats to people and property in both panchayats, especially in wards adjoining the forest, for over a month. Unlike elephant herds, which usually stray into residential areas at night, this lone tusker has been appearing at all hours. There have been instances when it landed in front of a school bus. People have been afraid to step out of their homes even during the day. The tusker has also damaged agricultural crops.” He highlighted that the threat was particularly acute in wards 1, 2, 3, and 4, which include a lower primary school in ward 3.

While the Forest department plans to monitor the tusker’s movements using the radio collar, residents of the affected panchayats remain dissatisfied. “Our demand is that it be relocated far away from residential areas, as was done in the case of tuskers like Arikkomban. Merely scaring it away will not help, as it may return to residential areas within days,” Mr. Sivakumar added.

Kodanad Forest range officials were unavailable for comment at the time of reporting.