Palakkad/Coimbatore: A 40-year-old tusker, affectionately known as Chillikomban by the people of Nelliyampathy, drowned after falling into a 20-foot-deep contour canal in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve near Pollachi in Tamil Nadu on Saturday.
Incident Details
The elephant was trapped in the canal at Pachathannir beat under the Sethumadai East section of the Pollachi forest range. Locals first spotted the animal around 4 p.m. and immediately alerted forest field staff. Forest officials coordinated with the Tamil Nadu irrigation department to stop the water flow and reduce the water level. However, it took considerable time to control the heavy flow.
Rescue Efforts
An earthmover was deployed for the rescue operation, but the elephant's weight and the strong water current made the effort unsuccessful. The elephant was found dead in the canal at 6:40 p.m.
Postmortem and Burial
On Sunday, the tusker's carcass was recovered from the Udumalpet forest range. After a postmortem examination, the carcass was buried within the forest range.
Chillikomban's Legacy
Chillikomban had earned a special place among wildlife enthusiasts and locals of Nelliyampathy. The tusker was named by locals because of its slender, stick-like tusks. Although the elephant occasionally ventured into human settlements in Nelliyampathy, it was not known for causing major disturbances or conflicts, making it a familiar and much-loved presence in the region.
The tragic incident has left the local community mourning the loss of a gentle giant that was an integral part of the region's natural heritage. Wildlife authorities are reviewing safety measures to prevent such accidents in the future.
