Forest Department brings kumki Chinnathambi to its home turf

Kumki Chinnathambi from Kozhikamuthi elephant camp of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve stationed at Varappalayam near Coimbatore on Monday.
| Photo Credit: M. PERIASAMY

The Forest Department on Monday brought kumki Chinnathambi from the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) to Varappalayam in Thadagam valley in Coimbatore district to drive out wild elephants that enter human habitations.

Thadagam valley is the home turf of Chinnathambi as the tusker was first captured and translocated from the area, following consistent demands from farmers due to crop raiding, on January 25, 2019.

District Forest Officer N. Jayaraj said Chinnathambi was brought to drive back wild elephants as two other kumkis the Department brought from ATR, namely Suyambu and Muthu, had to be sent back due to musth.

While Suyambu exhibited signs of musth first, Muthu showed the symptoms later. As the Department was forced to send back the two kumkis, it chose Chinnathambi to resume the drive in villages bordering forests in Thadagam valley.

Coimbatore Forest Range Officer V. Thirumurugan said Chinnathambi was stationed at Varappalayam village, a place frequented by wild elephants after sunset.

The kumki will be taken to places where wild elephants enter human habitations and agricultural lands. Besides seeking relief from crop raiding, farmers have also been seeking translocation of a tusker that allegedly trampled two persons to death.