Killer tusker moves to new village, damages coconut trees in private farm

Villagers said the elephant had moved into a private farm in Aliyar near Pollachi and damaged coconut trees. However, the Forest Department staff are yet to confirm their claims and said efforts were on to track the animal. Kumkis Bharani and Suyambu were put on patrolling duty on Monday in Navamalai to prevent the wild tusker from intruding into the residential area.

Meanwhile, Pollachi Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) Ravi Kumar visited the temporary accommodation provided to families from Navamalai and instructed officials to ensure all arrangements were in place. The Forest Department officials said that tribals in Navamalai lived in harmony with wild elephants. “Even in the past, elephants had strayed into their neighbourhood, but did not cause any harm to people. However, the elephant that killed the two persons had migrated from Valparai, where it frequently raided ration shops to consume rice and other stocks. We believe that the jumbo continues to look for food by raiding houses and attacking people,” an official said.

Elsewhere, a 3-year-old elephant calf was allegedly electrocuted in Kadayanallur forest range of Tirunelveli district. It was found dead near a private patta land bordering the forest area in the range on Tuesday.