Forest Department monitoring movements of wild elephant on the loose in Udhagamandalam

Forest Department monitors Cherambadi Tusker-16, using drones and Kumkis to prevent negative human-elephant interactions in the region.

Following instances of negative interactions between people and a wild elephant in Cherambadi, the Forest Department is monitoring the elephant’s movements in the region.

Cherambadi Tusker-16 (CT-16), referred to by locals as Kottamalai Baskar, is said to have been entering human habitations and farmland in search of food. The Nilgiris district administration said that more than 75 personnel from the Forest Department are involved in monitoring the elephant, headed by an official of the rank Assistant Conservator of Forest and Forest Ranger.

Kumkis from the Theppakadu Elephant Camp as well as experienced staff from Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) have also been brought to the region to chase the elephant away from the habitations, they said.

Drones are also being used to monitor the animal. The district administration also stated that the Minister of Information and Publicity, M.P.Saminathan, and Nilgiris MP, A. Raja, were overseeing the work to mitigate negative human-elephant interactions in the region.

Forest Department officials from the Gudalur division said that the elephant had been damaging houses in Cherambadi and Bitherkad. Residents who spot the elephant have been asked to contact the Forest Department via telephone at 90923-20850, 99443-65051 and 89033-20290.