Kumki elephants deployed to chase rogue tusker in Kerala’s Thrissur

Thrissur (Kerala): The Kerala Forest Department on Friday deployed two trained Kumki elephants to tackle a wild tusker that has been causing panic among residents in Kuthiran, Thrissur district.

Officials said the wild elephant has been straying into the Irumpupalam region for nearly two weeks, damaging property and creating fear among locals.

Last week, a forest official was injured and a department vehicle was damaged during an attempt to chase the animal back into the forest. Following the incident, forest minister AK Saseendran visited the area and instructed officials to prioritise public safety and take effective measures to resolve the situation.

According to forest authorities, the tusker entered residential zones again on Wednesday and Thursday nights, prompting an intensified operation.

To aid the effort, two Kumki elephants – Bharath and Vikram – were brought in from their camp in Wayanad on Friday morning. These trained elephants will assist in driving the rogue tusker back into the Peechi forest range, once it is located.

“Search operations are ongoing, and the elephant’s movements are being closely monitored,” a senior forest officer said, adding that the animal usually emerges from the forest after dusk.

The department has also increased patrolling in nearby areas to prevent further damage or risk to human life.

(with inputs from agencies)