Kalpetta: The forest department mission to capture problem elephant Vadakkanad Komban on Sunday proved futile as it managed to keep off the team and a couple of darting attempts failed to hit it. The elephant has been creating havoc in human settlements for the last many years and has also killed a tribal boy.
The jungle raids started early in the morning from Moodakkolly near Vakeri where the animal was roaming. A team of officials headed by chief conservator of forests B.N. Anjankumar, flying squad DFO P. Dhanesh Kumar and Wayanad wildlife warden N.T. Sajan was assisted by range officers of various forest ranges and field staff in the operations.
Though the animal had stopped at Pallivayal inside the jungle, the darts shot by veterinarian Dr Arun Zachariah missed the target.
Dhanesh Kumar told DC that the mission would continue on Monday. "We have all the facilities and the trained Kumki elephants to assist in the mission. Two trucks and a proclain also will help the team," he added.
The elephant was radio-collared much earlier, and its movements have been tracked closely by tribal forest watchers. The capture was delayed due to shortage of trained elephants to assist the group in jungle raids and guide the animal to the vehicle after giving tranquilising shots.
A cage also was made many months back with huge pieces of wood at Muthanga elephant camp to house the animal soon after the capture.
