Makna elephant enters STF camp

Coimbatore: Frontline staff of the forest department chased away a tuskless male elephant (makna) that entered the special task force (STF) temporary camp at Mangarai in the Coimbatore forest range on Saturday.
The elephant, aged about 30 years, has injuries on its mouth. “It is known as Bulldozer in Mannarkad in Kerala, where it damaged 21 houses while searching for food,” an official said.
Officials with the Mannarkad forest department had tranquilized the animal last month to treat the wounds. After it entered the Tamil Nadu forest limits, three teams have been closely monitoring its movements. It ate the fruits and rice flour mixed with medicines placed by the officials.
The elephant was spotted at Kanuvai two days ago and near Mangarais on Saturday.