Udhagamandalam: Tusker Rivaldo, which was released into the wild on Monday after 87 days of detention in Kraal in the Vazhaithottam area for treatment, has returned to the Mavanallah area at Masinagudi Panchayat, where he has roamed over the past six years.
Tusker was released near Chickkalla Anti-Poaching Camp in early Monday.
It reached the Mavanal area on Tuesday night.
According to forest officials, the radio-collared Tusker has covered 40 km in 24 hours to reach the Mavanallah area.
They said it was for the first time a wild elephant was released to the wild after keeping it to be kraal for almost three months.
L C S Srikanth, Deputy Director, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) -Bawuffer Zone, said they expected Rivaldo to return to his old meadow.
“The Tusker movement quickly reached his house range.
After that, it slowed down and had roamed the Mavanallah area since morning.
The radio collar is perfect, except for technical barriers on Tuesday night because of turbidity.” The official said two teams were formed to monitor Pachyderm all the time.
“We will ensure that the elephant does not enter Vazhaitottam Village.
We have told the villagers not to feed elephants and do not approach him.” One member of the eight member committee, which was formed to study Rivaldo’s health and his release to the wild, said the Ministry of Forestry did not Assume panel suggestions about Tusker’s release.
“Now, the department returns to the squared one after spending a large amount because it keeps the elephant in Kraal for three months.” Wildlife experts, meanwhile, said the Ministry of Forestry did not have a system for care or rehabilitation of wild elephants and other wild animals.
The only choice available, they said, is a camp.
They said the department had not followed a soft release method suggested by the first committee formed for this purpose.
The second committee was formed during the Tusker release.
“Rivaldo is a unique case.
This is an animal that is very accustomed.
Keeping in Kraal has made elephants more domesticated.
Officials failed in experiments made to him,” said Panel members, asked for anonymity.
Panel members questioned the reason behind releasing the elephant quietly in early morning.
“It is believed that the animal was given anesthesia standing while releasing from Kraal.
According to the guidelines, any wild animal should not be raised for any purpose after 6pm.
The forestry department has failed in procedural formalities.”