The Forest Department has plans to drive out the targeted wild elephants of Thadagam valley using kumkis, after giving mild sedation.
The Department is planning to do so with Vinayagan, the biggest wild elephant that is engaged in crop raiding in Thadagam valley.
Assistant Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) Deepak Srivastava told The Hindu on Thursday that chasing the tusker in mild sedation could be a right option as the kumkis are small in size.
“We have not arrived at a final decision on capturing and translocation. Capturing the right elephant is important as there are at least five wild elephants that are entering the villages. We will soon reach a final decision,” he said.
While farmers have been demanding the capture of tuskers Vinayagan and Chinna Thambi, a female elephant roaming with its calf is said to have attacked people and damaged more properties and crops.
As of now, the Department is continuing the operation with kumkis in Thadagam valley, with separate teams monitoring the movement of wild elephants. Three kumkis namely Cheran, Vijay and Bomman are stationed at Periyathadagam for mitigation works.
Woman attacked by elephant dies
A woman, who was injured in an attack by wild elephants near Gas Company at Narasimhanaickenpalayam on November 26, died on Thursday. M. Viajayalakshmi (41), a resident of Arivoli Nagar near Therkkupalayam, died at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital where she was undergoing treatment.
The woman was attacked by the wild elephants when she was heading for Thudiyalur where she used to sell vegetables at the weekly farmer's shandy.