UDHAGAMANDALAM: After nine lions at the Arignar Anna ZoologicalParkin Vandalur on Chennai’s outskirts were found infected with coronavirus, forest minister K Ramachandran instructed forest officials to conduct virus test for the tamed elephants at Theppakadu camp in Mudumalali Tiger Reserve (MTR) and Kozhikamuthy camp in Top Slip in Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR).
While there are 27 kumki elephants in Theppakadu camp, 28 tamed elephants are housed in Kozhikamuthy camp.
“All precautionary measures are being taken at the camp.
Feeding time has been increased from one hour to three hours as each elephant is fed separately,” said MTR field director K K Kaushal.
There are 54 mahouts at the camp.
“Only 12 of them have been vaccinated.
They are from tribal communities and show little inclination to vaccination.
We arecreating awareness amongthem.Before they enter the camp, thermal scanning is done,” he said.
Coronavirus preventive measures have been taken in the Kozhikamuthy elephant camp since last year, said ART deputy director S Arokiaraj Xavier.
“In all, 196 inmates of the camp, including mahouts and their relatives, have been vaccinated.
They are also given medicine to boost immunity.
Swabs were taken from 52 mahouts for RT-PCR tests last month,” he added.