Udhagamandalam: The operation to take the tusker ‘Rivoldo’ to Theppakadu elephant camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve came to a grinding halt on Thursday evening, with the 40-year-old animal making a U-turn at Kallallah near Masinagudi check post in the Nilgiris and disappearing in the forest.
The forest department team, which had been guiding the tusker to the elephant camp for the past three days, tried to follow the animal and take control over it, but in vain.
L C S Srikanth, deputy director, MTR-buffer zone, said it was the first hiccup faced by them during the operation, which started on February 2. “For now, we have decided not to disturb the tusker until it reaches Vazhaithottam area. We are also discussing options to treat its wounded trunk.”
The tip of its trunk was severed in an incident years ago. Of late, the animal has been suffering from breathing problems and not able to eat. Hence, the forest department has decided against translocating the animal after tranquilizing it. “The tusker cannot be tranquilized because of the breathing problems. We are exploring other options to take the elephant to the Theppakadu camp.”
Another source said they had taken the tusker to Vibuthimalai near Bokkapuram on the second day of the mission. “It wasn’t an easy task. We didn’t force the tusker at any time of its journey to Vibuthimalai. Instead, we allowed the animal to take its own route, while feeding it sugarcane, watermelon and banana, etc.”
Several teams are involved in the operation. While anti-poaching watcher Bandan and retired forest guard Ganesan, who have been taking care of the pachyderm for the past five to six years, are guiding the tusker to the Theppakadu elephant camp, there are other teams that are involved in tracking the route and providing food, among others.
“While we managed to take the elephant till Kallallah by Thursday evening, the tusker suddenly made a U-turn and started running back. We don’t know the reason behinds its sudden behavioural change. Maybe, it could have got the scent of other wild elephants,” Srikanth said.
According to the official, the tusker was spotted at Mavanallah area on Friday. “We are waiting for the animal to return to Vazhaithottam area, where it had been wandering around for the past six years, to take the next step.”