COIMBATORE: The tusker that was captured at Madukkarai forest region is likely to be named ‘Maharaj’ and N Prasad, the mahout of a deceased kumki Nanjan, will be engaged in training and converting the newcomer into a kumki at the Kozhi Kamudhi camp at Top Slip. The wild tusker reached the camp, which houses 20 kumkis, around 2.30 pm on Sunday.
“The wild tusker will be converted into a kumki after three-month-long training. As the jumbo looks too active, we think it will be easy for us to train. As per the name suggested by the local public, we have planned to name the tusker Maharaj,” said a forest ranger, who sought anonymity.
“Recently, while training kumki Bharani at ATR, Prasad suffered several injuries on his legs. Despite his injuries, he trained the elephant, which is now one of the active kumkis in the camp,” sources said.
Prasad has 10 years of experience in handling the elephants. He joined the department in 2006 as ‘Kavadi’ (assistant for mahout) and later became a mahout. So far, he has trained three wild elephants in the ATR and converted them into kumkis.
“Initially, the newcomer would be placed in the ‘kraal’ and trainers would constantly talk to the new animal in our tribal language for the animal to understand it,” said another mahout.