Arikomban: Why is Kerala looking for a rogue wild elephant since 2018??

The rogue wild tusker Arikomban has entered the deep forest after being relocated from Idukki’s Chinnakannal to the Periyar Tiger Reserve on Sunday.The tusker is currently circling three kilometres away from the release site.Despite the fact that grass stacks had been placed at various locations by forest officials, the elephant has not touched them.

The elephant was named Arikomban because of its habit of raiding rice shops. Ari means rice and Kombam means tusker. The rice-eating elephant had been troubling high-range villages in Kerala’s Idukki district for the last five years.It was seen roaming around in residential areas of Idukki and regularly attacking ration shops and houses in search of rice.

Dr. Arun Zachairah, who is expert in tranquillization, headed the task force that was tasked with capturing Arikomban. The task force is headed by chief veterinary surgeon Dr. Arun Zachariah and includes forest watchers, officials, police, doctors, veterinary doctors, members of the Fire Force, and members of the Rapid Response Team.

The four Kumki elephants Kunju, Konni Surendran, Suryan, and Vikram will be used by the forest department to tranquillize and then capture the elephant. The four Kumki elephants will be used by the forest department for the first time on this mission.After tranquilising the elephant, the forest department put the radio collar on Arikomban so that they can relocate it. The Kerala forest department has purchased the satellite radio collar from Assam government for Rs 5 lakh. The battery in the collar lasts for 10 years.

The Kerala government also made a detailed plan, including setting up a dummy ration shop with groceries and rice inside it to attract the jumbo to tranquilise it.The court’s decision to relocate Arikomban to the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve sparked outrage among Parambikulam villagers. Parambikulam has already been threatened by elephants.