Arikompan spotted near Kumily town
The Hindu
May 25, 2023
Arikompan, a wild tusker translocated from Chinnakkanal to the Periyar
Tiger Reserve (PTR), was spotted near Kumily on Wednesday night. According
to satellite radio collar signals, the tusker was traced within 6-km range
from Kumily town. After briefly exploring the area, Arikompan returned to
Medakanam, where it was first released inside the forest area inside the
PTR.
Periyar Tiger Reserve field director Kottayam P.P. Pramod said the tusker
is now camping under the forest area of the PTR. “For the last four days,
the tusker has been roaming inside the PTR forest. The Forest department
receives timely signals from the radio collar. The department is closely
monitoring the movements of Arikompan,” Mr. Pramod said.
According to officials, after camping for two weeks at Megamalai in Tamil
Nadu, the tusker returned to the Kerala side of the forest at Mullakkudi
four days ago.
Arikompan was captured from Chinnakkanal on April 29 and released to the
Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) on April 30. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Forest
department continued the ban on entry of tourists to the Megamalai hill
station, near Chinnamanur, considering the chances of its return to
Megamalai again.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/arikompan-spotted-near-kumily-town/article66892959.ece