‘Arikompan’, the wild tusker that was radiocollared and translocated from Chinnakkanal to Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Thekkady because of its penchant for raiding provision shops in Santhanpara and Chinnakkanal panchayats, has now returned to the neighbouring Kumily town worrying forest department officials and local natives.
According to forest department officials, tusker ‘Arikompan’ reached around 150 meters at the human habitation at Rosapookandam near Kumily town around 11 pm on Thursday night. Noticed the presence of the tusker through the Satellite radio Collar Signals PTR filed director Kottayam P P Pramod, PTR East deputy director Patil Suyog Subah Rao led forest officials reached the spot and chased the tusker back to the forest.
According to forest department officials, the tusker reached Rosapookandam through Mavadi- Medakanam, Karadikkavala, Kokkarakkandam and near Rosapookandam on Thursday night.
