Crop-raiding jumbo finally captured, lodged inside kraal in Mudumalai

COIMBATORE: A wild elephant believed to be involved in frequent negative interactions with human beings was finally tranquillised and captured by the forest department in Gudalur on Tuesday.

The elephant, named by residents as ‘Radhakrishnan’, has been identified as a habitual crop raider in the O’ Valley and its surrounding neighbourhood over the last ten years.

After a week-long effort, the elephant was spotted at ‘Kurumbar Pallam’ near the Ellamalai area in the morning.

A team of veterinarians, who were perched atop the trees, darted the animal with three tranquilliser shots.

“As it came under the influence of sedation, the staff restrained the animal by tying it with ropes. Four kumkis assisted the staff in the operation and goaded Radhakrishnan into a truck,” said an official.

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