Toll up; killing spree raises concern over jumbo safety

KOTTAYAM: Three wild elephants were killed during the last four months near Munnar raising concerns over the safety of the animals intruding into human settlements and agricultural lands.  The wild elephant which trespassed into the agricultural land on October 23 near the KDHP company labour camp at Devikulam division died after sustaining electric shock from the fence.  Another wild elephant was electrocuted at the Thachankary estate at Chinnacanal on August 10. It suffered shock from the electric fence set up at the estate gate.

Another wild elephant was killed on July 25 after a JCB struck it down at the KDHP company's Chenduvara estate. Three persons-- the JCB driver, the contractor and the JCB owner-- who were arrested in the case, are now on bail. 
Dr P.S. Eza, former director of the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) at Peechi, told DC that installing solar power fences was a deterrent against the intrusion of wild elephants into human settlements. Such fences will be effective and will not lead to the death of the elephants," Dr Eza, who is also a member of the Asian elephants specialists group, said.

He demanded that the forest department should map the places where the fences are established and identify the areas where the elephants frequently visit. Meanwhile, Chief Wild Life Warden AK Bharadwaj told DC that the forest department will take special care to prevent the recurring of the similar incidents. “What happened at Munnar was committed intentionally. We have increased the vigil in the area,” Mr Bharadwaj said.