Two Elephants Transferred to Newly Inaugurated Chadivayal Camp in Coimbatore
In a significant development for wildlife management in Tamil Nadu, two elephants were transported to the recently opened Chadivayal elephant camp in the Boluvampatti forest range of Coimbatore district on Wednesday night. The relocation involved a 24-year-old tusker named Muthu and a 17-year-old female elephant named Cauvery, both brought from the Kozhikamuthi elephant camp in the Ulanthy forest range of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR).
Details of the Transferred Elephants
The elephants were moved using forest department trucks as part of strategic efforts to enhance local conservation initiatives. Muthu, previously a wild elephant captured in 2019, has a notable history; he was nicknamed 'Arisi Raja' by locals due to his attraction to rice. This tusker was captured from Arthanaripalayam near Pollachi on November 14, 2019, after being involved in incidents that resulted in the deaths of four people, including an eight-year-old girl.
Cauvery, also originally a wild elephant, was captured from Tiruvannamalai district in 2013. Both animals had been housed and cared for at the Kozhikamuthi elephant camp within the ATR before their transfer to the new facility.
Purpose and Future Plans for the Camp
Boluvampatti forest range officer K Jayachandran explained the rationale behind the move. He stated that stationing 'kumki' elephants at the Chadivayal camp is crucial because the Boluvampatti range experiences frequent visits from wild elephants. Muthu will be specifically utilized to drive back wild elephants that stray into residential areas and agricultural fields, helping to mitigate human-elephant conflicts. In contrast, Cauvery will not be deployed for such operational duties.
Jayachandran further indicated that additional elephants may be brought to the camp based on directives from the chief conservator of forests and ATR field director D Venkatesh. Regarding public access, a decision on whether to allow tourists to visit the camp has not yet been finalized, pending further evaluation.
Infrastructure and Inauguration of the Camp
The Chadivayal elephant camp represents a substantial investment in wildlife infrastructure, constructed at a cost of Rs 8 crore. The facility boasts comprehensive amenities, including 18 sheds designated for captive elephants, 18 houses for mahouts, a natural pond, a shower area, and dedicated spaces for food preparation and serving. The camp was officially inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on December 30, 2025, marking a new chapter in regional elephant conservation efforts.
This initiative underscores the forest department's commitment to balancing ecological preservation with community safety, leveraging trained elephants to manage wildlife interactions in one of Tamil Nadu's key forest regions.
