.jpg?$p=430c1f1&f=16x10&w=852&q=0.8)
Kumki elephant Vikram, When Chakkakomban arrived in Chinnakanal | Photo: Mathrubhumi News/ Screengrab
Chinnakanal: When the forest department officials were waiting to lure and catch the wild jumbo ‘Arikomban’, another wild tusker ‘Chakkakomban’ arrived in Chinnakanal, sensing the smell of ‘kumki’ elephant Vikram. Chakkakomban swam across Anayirankal dam and reached almost 500 metre near Vikram, the kumki elephant brought here for Operation Arikomban.
Vikram’s mahouts Mani and Kumar immediately rushed to the scene. Soon watchers of the forest department and RRT members also joined and made noises to drive away the wild elephant. However, Chakkakomban has not left the region.
The watchers, who had seen Chakkakomban on the opposite bank of the dam at 8.30 am on Tuesday, anticipated that it would return to forest after drinking water from the river. But it crossed the river within minutes to reach Vikram.
As per reports, Chakkakomban is currently camped in a forest area near Thenpara. If the elephant continues here, it would adversely affect the mission to tranquilise and catch Arikomban.
Meanwhile, Arikomban has been spotted on top of Periyakanal with a female elephant and two calves. Hence, it is inferred that the jumbo is less likely to arrive in Chinnakanal on Saturday.
The authorities have found the presence of wild elephant ‘Mottavalan’ also in Bl Ram village.
RELATED STORIES
.jpg?$p=a80322e&f=1x1&w=100&q=0.8)
.jpg?$p=6684ca9&q=0.8&f=16x11&w=104)
