Chinna Thambi, a wild tusker TN villagers loved and feared

COIMBATORE: Chinna Thambi, a 25-year-old wild elephant that shared a love-hate relationship with villagers from Kanuvai to Anaikatti, was captured at Thadagam reserve forest on Friday.

Its tusks were partially damaged while it was being forced to board a truck to be relocated. It was also injured on its backside by the tusks of a trained elephant that pushed it onto the truck.

For quite some time now, the elephant lovingly called Chinna Thambi, or younger brother, had forced people from villages bordering the forests to change their habits to co-exist with it. Bananas would never be bought in large numbers (and would be eaten the same day), jackfruit would be totally avoided, and other fruits, if cut, would be had before nightfall. All because fruits were the tusker’s favourite snack and leaving them even indoors was an invitation to the jumbo. “We had to change our habits keeping Chinna Thambi and other elephants in mind,” said T Rangarajan, a resident of Mankarai on the foothills of Anaikatti.

The wild tusker, which was first spotted in the Thadagam valley more than five years ago, had been raiding crops and ravaging farms. Many houses in the area have walls or at least a window damaged by it. “We have all erected electric fences outside our houses,” said S Jeyakodi, a milk supplier in Kalayanur.

Hiding cattle fodder, rice, tamarind and corn was also compulsory. “Thatched houses where rice was kept in sacks and not in sealed containers were often raided by Chinna Thambi,” said Anaikatti-based teacher and social activist Joshua. “So, people learnt to cover rice and tamarind with other stuff so that the aroma is subdued,” he added.

People had to be alert about the elephant’s arrival. “He would make strange noises while approaching,” said Padmavathy A, a resident of 24 Veerapandi. “Dogs in the area would start barking ferociously,” said Kalayanur resident R Ponnusamy. “We would immediately go indoors, shut all doors and windows and not make any noise. Though we wouldn’t use fireworks, we all had stores at home to scare him away, if needed,” he added.

Parts of Kalayanur, Somaiyampalayam and Mankarai would turn into ghost towns after 8pm for fear of the pachyderm. “We would shut shop and leave by 7.30pm. Not being seen by the elephant and not attracting its attention was critical,” said E Pechiammal, a shopkeeper. Despite all this, villagers still talk about Chinna Thambi fondly. But then, it wasn’t possible to play hide and seek with the elephant all the time.

After repeated requests from villagers, forest officials captured the elephant on Friday. “We will miss his presence, but he had to leave. Cultivation for many farmers had come to a standstill and our children’s safety was at stake,” said P Rangaraj, a resident of Thaneerpandhal. “It is almost like sending your child off to hostel. Sad but necessary,” he added.

(With inputs from Subburaj A)