A lone tusker that had been frequently straying into residential areas in Kottapady and Pindimana grama panchayats under the Kothamangalam block in Ernakulam district of Kerala has been tranquillised and fitted with a radio collar by a forest team following public outcry.

The tusker was sighted along the forest fringes adjoining Vadakkumbagham in Kottappara of Kottapady panchayat in the early hours of Thursday. While a team from the Kodanad forest range office, including a veterinarian, ventured into the forest to track the animal, another team was stationed outside to prevent it from straying into residential areas. There were also concerns about the health of the elephant.

Dean Kuriakose, MP, and Shibu Thekkumpuram, MLA, were present, along with panchayat members led by Kottapady panchayat president Umesh Sivakumar and Pindimana panchayat president K.P. George.

“The animal has posed serious threats to people and property in both panchayats, especially in wards adjoining the forest, for over a month. Unlike elephant herds, which usually stray into residential areas at night, this lone tusker has been appearing at all hours. There have been instances when it landed in front of the school bus. People have been afraid to step out of their homes even during the day. The tusker has also damaged agricultural crops,” said Mr. Sivakumar.

He noted that the threat was particularly severe in wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 adjoining the forest, including a lower primary school in ward 3.

Residents seek translocation

While the Forest department plans to monitor the tusker’s movements using the radio collar, residents of the affected panchayats remain dissatisfied.

“Our demand is that it be relocated far away from residential areas, as was done in the case of tuskers like Arikkomban. Merely scaring it away will not help, as it may return to residential areas within days,” Mr. Sivakumar added.

Kodanad Forest range officials were unavailable for comment.