Jumbo attacks: Kumki elephants deployed at Munnar

IDUKKI:To counter the rampant wild elephant attacks in Chinnakkanal and Marayur grama panchayats, the Forest Department on Monday brought two Kumki elephants (trained elephants) in Munnar to resume its operation of driving away rogue elephants from human settlements. The Forest authorities had earlier conducted a weeklong kumki operations in the same area, with two elephants from Tamil Nadu.

The Forest Department was forced to resume kumki operations this time after rogue tuskers attacked several houses, shops, vehicles and farmlands in the previous week in Marayur and Chinnakkanal areas.The officers said the pachyderms will be in Munnar for at least two weeks and will commence work from Tuesday.

Kumki elephants - Kottur Soman and Aryankavu Maniyan - were brought from Konni and Kottur elephant parks, respectively, and chained near the boating station at Anayirangal Dam. They will be taken to Muthammanchola on Tuesday and will be paraded at Singukandam and B L Ram besides tribal colonies and a few estate lines where jumbo attacks are rampant. Since the kumki elephants are a little aged, the Forest officers are unsure whether to take them through rough and steep terrains.