Gentle Tusker Rivaldo Succumbs to Wild Elephant Attacks in Mudumalai Reserve
A 50-year-old tusker named Rivaldo, known for his gentle demeanor and tolerance towards humans, was discovered deceased in the Vazhaithottam area of the Segur range within the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) on Thursday afternoon. The elephant, a long-standing resident of the Nilgiris region, had become a familiar and captivating sight along the fringes of human settlements, quietly drawing admiration from both local residents and tourists over the years.
Sustained Attacks and Age-Related Illness Lead to Death
According to R Kirubashankar, the Conservator of Forests and Field Director of MTR, Rivaldo had been under continuous assault from other wild elephants. "He is ageing and was suffering from age-related illness," Kirubashankar stated. "Attacks by other wild elephants for three days resulted in his death," he further elaborated, highlighting the brutal natural conflict that ultimately claimed the tusker's life.
From Crop Raider to Tolerant Wild Elephant
Rivaldo's journey was marked by significant transformation. Initially identified as a crop raider, he was captured by forest department officials in 2021. Authorities considered retaining him in captivity and converting him into a camp elephant, a typical approach for managing problem animals. However, this proposal was abandoned following strong objections from animal welfare activists.
After spending 70 days in a camp, Rivaldo was released back into the wild, equipped with a radio collar designed to monitor his movements for a three-year period. He subsequently integrated into a herd within Mudumalai and began inhabiting the core areas of the reserve, gradually adapting to a diet of wild vegetation.
"Over time, he turned into a tolerant wild elephant — one that did not routinely charge at people or destroy crops," remarked D Venkatesh, the field director of Anamalai Tiger Reserve, who had previously been stationed in Mudumalai. By 2024, officials decided to discontinue tracking him as he had become notably docile and well-adjusted to his natural environment.
Post-Mortem and Preservation of Tusks
Deputy Director R Vidyadhar confirmed that a thorough post-mortem examination was conducted on Rivaldo's carcass. In accordance with conservation protocols, his massive tusks were carefully removed and taken into official custody. These tusks will be preserved as part of the state's protected wildlife inventory, ensuring they are documented and safeguarded for future reference and study.
The death of Rivaldo underscores the complex dynamics within elephant populations and the challenges faced by aging individuals in the wild. His story reflects both the conflicts and coexistence between wildlife and human communities in ecologically sensitive regions like the Nilgiris.
