Activists to move court for Madukarai Maharaj

According to the reply given by the District Forest Officer to the petition filed on the case, the elephant named Madukarai Maharaj in the Madukarai Range of Coimbatore Division was causing havoc in the area and even killed a forest guard. The elephant was tranquilised and sent to Varagaliyar Elephant range of Coimbatore Division in a truck. It further said that the elephant died due to multiple fractures in the forehead. The forest department refused of any negligence from their part and stated that the animal died due to its restless behaviour. 

“We are not happy with the justification as there are many loopholes to the story. How could an elephant, who has said to have been damaged concrete walls be severally damaged by the wooden enclosure. We are going to the court to ensure that the concerned department is answerable. What about the staff that travelled with him, what did they do,” questions Arun Prasanna of PFCI that had written to the Chief Minister Special Cell who forwarded it to the to the DFO of Coimbatore.

Soon after the incident, many activists feel that that the death could also be due to overdose of tranquilisers and negligence by the officials. “We went to the court when the hunt for the tusker was in progress to not capture, tranquilise or harm the wild elephant. We called it ‘Mission Madukarai Kamaraj’,” says Prakash S of Elsa foundation. Unfortunately, the animal passed away before the order could be implemented.