Kochi: The 25 year old Rogue elephant Arikkomban is giving chase to the special forest department team even as efforts are on to trap it at the right time.
Villagers in the area are upset over the forest department not associating them in the mission, media reports said.
The 150 member Operation Arikomban is a mission to nab the elephant and take it away to an undisclosed location. There are reports of the authorities planning to relocate it in the Periyar Tiger Reserve area once it is trapped.
Though the elephant has been located, firing tranquilizer could be a threat to its life in the area where it is located, media reports said.
Arikomban was seen in the Sankarapandyan mettu region later part of the day Friday.
Another rogue elephant Chakkakomban is roaming in the area making the job difficult for the forest staff, the reports said.
Curfew imposed in a few panchayat wards of Santhanpara will continue on Saturday.
Arikkomban has an addiction to eating rice at
target ration shops and houses for it. The elephant has claimed over seven lives in Idukki.
The mission was set up as per the direction of Kerala High Court. The forest department is also planning to radio collar it once it is trapped.
People for Animals (PFA), Thiruvananthapuram unit and the Walking Eye Foundation for Animal Advocacy have opposed any plans to keep it in captivity.
Photo Credit: Twitter
