Arikompan could be looking for a way back, say experts
Sandeep Vellaram, The Hindu
May 26, 2023
See link
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/arikompan-could-be-looking-for-a-way-back-say-experts/article66897365.ece
for photo.
With Arikompan roaming mostly near Kumily, speculation is rife about the
wild tusker looking for a way back to Chinnakkanal, its original habitat.
According to Forest department sources, the connected forests and the
present path of Arikompan indicate that the tusker is on his way back.
According to Forest department officials, Arikompan reached within 100
metres of a human habitation at Rosapookandam, near Kumily town, around 11
p.m. on Thursday. Noticing the presence of the tusker through the satellite
radio collar signals, a team led by Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) field
director P.P. Pramod and PTR East deputy director Patil Suyog Subah Rao
reached the spot and chased the tusker back to the forest. The elephant
then moved to the Tamil Nadu forest area.
“The tusker crossed National Highway 183 and is now roaming in the Tamil
Nadu forest area, around 8 kilometres from Kumily. We cannot predict
Arikompan’s movement,” said Mr. Pramod, adding that Kerala and Tamil Nadu
forest officials were closely monitoring the tusker’s movements.
Connected Forests
A senior Forest department source said Arikompan’s movement path was once
an elephant corridor. “The Kerala-Tamil Nadu forests are connected till
Bodimettu and then separated by human habitations. If it reaches Bodimettu
the tusker can reach Mathikettanshola and Chinnakkanal,” said the source.
Elephant expert and High Court-appointed expert committee member P.S. Essa
told The Hindu that the possibility of the tusker reaching its habitat
cannot be ruled out. “Three months ago, the Tamil Nadu Forest department
translocated a makhana (tuskless male elephant) from Dharmapuri to the
Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) to prevent it from straying into human
habitations. The elephant tried to return to its original habitat and
travelled over 100 kilometres. The Tamil Nadu government again captured and
radio-collared the animal and released it to the ATR. The elephant has not
returned and is now roaming near the Parambikulam forests,” said Dr. Essa.
“If Arikompan is released to the Parambikulam forests there is less chance
of it returning to Chinnakkanal,” said Dr. Essa.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/arikompan-could-be-looking-for-a-way-back-say-experts/article66897365.ece
Arikompan could be looking for a way back, say experts
Sandeep Vellaram, The Hindu
May 26, 2023
See link
<https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/arikompan-could-be-looking-for-a-way-back-say-experts/article66897365.ece>
for photo.
With Arikompan roaming mostly near Kumily, speculation is rife about the
wild tusker looking for a way back to Chinnakkanal, its original habitat.
According to Forest department sources, the connected forests and the
present path of Arikompan indicate that the tusker is on his way back.
According to Forest department officials, Arikompan reached within 100
metres of a human habitation at Rosapookandam, near Kumily town, around 11
p.m. on Thursday. Noticing the presence of the tusker through the satellite
radio collar signals, a team led by Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) field
director P.P. Pramod and PTR East deputy director Patil Suyog Subah Rao
reached the spot and chased the tusker back to the forest. The elephant
then moved to the Tamil Nadu forest area.
“The tusker crossed National Highway 183 and is now roaming in the Tamil
Nadu forest area, around 8 kilometres from Kumily. We cannot predict
Arikompan’s movement,” said Mr. Pramod, adding that Kerala and Tamil Nadu
forest officials were closely monitoring the tusker’s movements.
Connected Forests
A senior Forest department source said Arikompan’s movement path was once
an elephant corridor. “The Kerala-Tamil Nadu forests are connected till
Bodimettu and then separated by human habitations. If it reaches Bodimettu
the tusker can reach Mathikettanshola and Chinnakkanal,” said the source.
Elephant expert and High Court-appointed expert committee member P.S. Essa
told The Hindu that the possibility of the tusker reaching its habitat
cannot be ruled out. “Three months ago, the Tamil Nadu Forest department
translocated a makhana (tuskless male elephant) from Dharmapuri to the
Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) to prevent it from straying into human
habitations. The elephant tried to return to its original habitat and
travelled over 100 kilometres. The Tamil Nadu government again captured and
radio-collared the animal and released it to the ATR. The elephant has not
returned and is now roaming near the Parambikulam forests,” said Dr. Essa.
“If Arikompan is released to the Parambikulam forests there is less chance
of it returning to Chinnakkanal,” said Dr. Essa.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/arikompan-could-be-looking-for-a-way-back-say-experts/article66897365.ece