Kerala: Rogue tusker, keeping villagers in Idukki on tenterhooks, tranquilised this afternoon

In Kerala, a rogue tusker, who kept villagers in Chinnakkanal and Shanthampara areas of the Idukki district on tenterhooks for several months, was tranquilised this afternoon. Efforts are on to translocate the elephant to another location away from human habitations.

Being named ‘Arikkomban’ for its fondness for rice, the tusker has claimed over half a dozen lives and attacked human settlements in search of food. The elephant will be fitted with a radio collar and will be released into the wild at an undisclosed place, as per directions of the court.