Wild tusker Arikomban damages vehicles in Cumbam town

The Kerala wild tusker Arikomban, notorious for breaking into homes and ration shops to steal rice which earned him the nickname of 'Arikomban', entered Cumbam town in Tamil Nau on Saturday morning. Visuals of Arikomban running amok in Cumbum town went viral on social media. Three people were injured while trying to escape after seeing the elephant and one of them sustained serious injuries. The rogue elephant damaged several vehicles parked in the town.

As the tusker has entered the densely poulated areas, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has issued high alert. People have been asked not to venture out of their houses. Chief Minister M.K Stalin instructed the officials to take immediate measures to tranquilize the tusker and shift it to the forest area with the help of Kumki elephants. The chief minister sought the support of all government departments to shift the tusker from the inhibited areas without creating difficulties to the public.

Arikomban was translocated from Kerala's Chinnakanal area to Periyar Tiger Reserve on April 29, following widespread complaints from local residents against the damages caused by the elephant. After being fitted with a radio-collar, the tusker was released in the interior areas of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Since then, the elephant was on constant move in Kerala and Tamil Nadu forest areas. Few weeks ago, the tusker entered the human settlements in Tamil Nadu including the popular tourist spot Meghamali. Tamil Nadu had banned entry of tourists to Meghamalai after spotting the tusker in the area.

There are reports that the tusker is moving in the direction of Chinnakanal to return to its original habitat.