2 caretakers of Srivilliputhur temple elephant arrested for attacking the elephant
Coimbatore: Two caretakers of Srivilliputhur temple elephant arrestedfor attacking the elephant. Following the information that a female elephant (Jayamalyada, 18) of Srivilliputhur Andal Temple who came to the Elephant Refreshment Camp in Thekkampatti was attacked by caretakers, an investigation was carried out and two caretakers were arrested.
Vinilkumar, aged 46 and Sivaprasad, aged 32 are charged under Crime No. 2/2021 in Mettupalayam Division. They were arrested under the Tamil Nadu Domestic Elephant (Management & Maintenance) Rules, 2011 (regulated under Section 64 of the Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972) and Section 51 of the Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972. Both are currently in remand and appropriate procedures for managing the elephant have been communicated to the Trust Department.
Subramaniam, the assistant who came with the female elephant of the Thiruchendur temple, is now taking care of the Srivilliputhur temple elephant. He has already been looking after this elephant at Thekkampatti camp for the last three years. The Coimbatore wildlife officer went to the camp today to inspect the elephant and it was reported that the elephant was not injured after a thorough examination.