A rice-loving wild elephant that raids ration shops drives residents of
Kerala village up the wall
The Hindu
January 21, 2023
A rogue tusker named ‘Arikompan’ that regularly raids ration shops and eats
provisions is presenting sleepless nights to the residents of Santhanpara
in Idukki district. According to local people, the tusker has attacked a
ration shop around 10 times in the past one-and-a-half years. Now, the
Santhanpara grama panchayat has demanded that the government capture the
tusker immediately.
Antony P.L., who runs the ration shop at Panniyar that is particularly
favoured by Arikompan, says in each attack, the tusker eats atta, rice,
sugar, and wheat. There is a distinct preference for rice, and hence the
name Arikompan (ari is rice, and kompan means tusker). “The shop is in an
old estate building. Over 500 ration cardholders, including families from
two tribal settlements, depend on the shop to get food items. The elephant
would attack any time. I am reluctant to keep the shop open in the
evenings,” says Mr. Antony. His shop came under attack at 4 a.m. on
Saturday. The casualty was two full sacks of rice.
People, Houses in Peril
Santhanpara panchayat president Liju Varghese says the panchayat has
written to Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran and the Chief Wildlife Warden
demanding steps to shift the tusker from the region immediately. “The
tusker has destroyed over 60 houses in the panchayat and killed nearly 10
people under the Devikulam range over the years,“ says Mr. Varghese.
Elephant expert P.S. Essa says the undulating terrain and presence of the
Anayirankal reservoir in the vicinity is a big hurdle to capturing the
tusker. “If the elephant enters the water after being tranquilised, it is
in danger of drowning,” says Mr. Essa. The terrain is dotted with small
hills and a sedated elephant can fall to its death from such a mound.
A senior Forest department official confirms the threat posed by the tusker
to the local people. “The final decision of capturing it can be taken only
at the government level,” says the official.
Failed Attempt
It was in July 2017 that the Forest department first tried to capture
Arikompan from Anayirankal. The forest officials and veterinary doctor
spotted the elephant, and tranquiliser darts were fired at it thrice.
However, the animal could not be sedated and hence, could not be fitted
with the radio collar. The animal returned to the forest and the team
discontinued the mission. In 2018, the Chief Wildlife Warden issued an
order to capture the tusker, but it was cancelled after a spell of bad
weather, sources say.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/a-rice-loving-wild-elephant-that-raids-ration-shops-drives-residents-of-kerala-village-up-the-wall/article66417090.ece
A rice-loving wild elephant that raids ration shops drives residents of
Kerala village up the wall
The Hindu
January 21, 2023
A rogue tusker named ‘Arikompan’ that regularly raids ration shops and eats
provisions is presenting sleepless nights to the residents of Santhanpara
in Idukki district. According to local people, the tusker has attacked a
ration shop around 10 times in the past one-and-a-half years. Now, the
Santhanpara grama panchayat has demanded that the government capture the
tusker immediately.
Antony P.L., who runs the ration shop at Panniyar that is particularly
favoured by Arikompan, says in each attack, the tusker eats atta, rice,
sugar, and wheat. There is a distinct preference for rice, and hence the
name Arikompan (ari is rice, and kompan means tusker). “The shop is in an
old estate building. Over 500 ration cardholders, including families from
two tribal settlements, depend on the shop to get food items. The elephant
would attack any time. I am reluctant to keep the shop open in the
evenings,” says Mr. Antony. His shop came under attack at 4 a.m. on
Saturday. The casualty was two full sacks of rice.
People, Houses in Peril
Santhanpara panchayat president Liju Varghese says the panchayat has
written to Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran and the Chief Wildlife Warden
demanding steps to shift the tusker from the region immediately. “The
tusker has destroyed over 60 houses in the panchayat and killed nearly 10
people under the Devikulam range over the years,“ says Mr. Varghese.
Elephant expert P.S. Essa says the undulating terrain and presence of the
Anayirankal reservoir in the vicinity is a big hurdle to capturing the
tusker. “If the elephant enters the water after being tranquilised, it is
in danger of drowning,” says Mr. Essa. The terrain is dotted with small
hills and a sedated elephant can fall to its death from such a mound.
A senior Forest department official confirms the threat posed by the tusker
to the local people. “The final decision of capturing it can be taken only
at the government level,” says the official.
Failed Attempt
It was in July 2017 that the Forest department first tried to capture
Arikompan from Anayirankal. The forest officials and veterinary doctor
spotted the elephant, and tranquiliser darts were fired at it thrice.
However, the animal could not be sedated and hence, could not be fitted
with the radio collar. The animal returned to the forest and the team
discontinued the mission. In 2018, the Chief Wildlife Warden issued an
order to capture the tusker, but it was cancelled after a spell of bad
weather, sources say.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/a-rice-loving-wild-elephant-that-raids-ration-shops-drives-residents-of-kerala-village-up-the-wall/article66417090.ece