Coimbatore : With the forest department giving a huge sigh of relief after capturing and translocating the problem elephant Vinayakan from Thadagam to Mudumalai, foresters are to handle the other problem elephant, Chinnathambi, using negative conditioning strategy.
Coimbatore : With the forest department giving a huge sigh of relief after capturing and translocating the problem elephant Vinayakan from Thadagam to Mudumalai, foresters are to handle the other problem elephant, Chinnathambi, using negative conditioning strategy.
Chief Conservator of Forests of Coimbatore Circle and Director of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Deepak Srivastava told that since the bigger tusker is captured, it would be easier for the department to handle Chinnathambi, who is younger, smaller and lighter than Vinayagan .
“We believe he acted like a leader to other tuskers who roam in the area including Chinnathambi. More like a support system to other crop raiding male elephants. When he is caught and moved to another place, the situation should come under control as other smaller male elephants would hesitate coming out,” he said.
Though the department has orders to capture both the wild elephants Chinnathambi and Vinayagan , officials are not looking to eliminate another tusker from the area and are looking at other methods.
“We are against capturing of wild elephants. But, this is a serious case where there is enormous amount of pressure from the local farming community who are petitioning for the capture. The elephants are also spotted in human habitations again and again. However, we should not look for capture immediately,” he opined.
He also added that the negative conditioning could be the right choice as of now for Chinnathambi depending upon the impact of Vinayagan ’s capture on the landscape.
The method of negative conditioning was initially thought of to handle Vinayagan , but it could not be executed as Kumki elephants could not approach the wild tusker. Weighing at 4.5 to five tonnes and in full musth condition, Vinayagan gave a tough time for the Kumki elephants even while he was still sedated.
Infact, Kumki Vijay often ran a few steps backwards while loading him in the truck as Vinayagan was sedated.
However, it may not be the same case with Chinnathambi who is lighter and smaller and officials believe that Kumkis Vijay, Cheran and Bomman can handle Chinnathambi.
In negative conditioning, the problem animal would be darted with a mild sedation and approached with Kumkis. The Kumkis would try and drive the animal inside the forest and continue the process for some time to keep him away from farmlands.
For a habitual crop raider like Chinnathambi, such acts could help change his behaviour and make prevent him from coming out. If not worked, Chinnathambi could also be captured and relocated.
Meanwhile, Vinayagan was released in Sand Road in Mudumalai around 5.30 am today with a radio collar to monitor him.