Kumki injured in wild jumbo attack in Kovai

According to the Forest department, kumki Cheran (32) was in musth (a surge in male hormones when elephants become aggressive) and its legs were chained in the camp site, a wild elephant strayed into the camp area around 3 am and attacked Cheran, causing injuries to the kumki.

As the kumki trumpeted in pain, Forest staff rushed to its rescue and chased the wild jumbo away by firing crackers. Later, veterinary experts treated the kumki and expressed hope that the injuries will be cured in a week.

Though there was a trench surrounding the camp, it was filled with mud at several spots. “Works are underway to dig a fresh trench for 2.5 kms around the camp. Until the trench is dug, a team of 10 Forest staff has been deployed for round-the-clock vigil,” a Forest official said.

Two elephants, Cheran and John (27), were kept at the camp to prevent intrusion of wild elephants in Coimbatore.