Jumbos in Kerala go hi-tech with electronic ID cards

Kochi, Mar 8: Jumbos in Kerala are going hi-tech with the state Forest Department implanting microchips on captive elephants to act as electronic identity cards.

The initiative is being implemented by the Department in association with Elephant Care, a non-governmental organisation, under the Centre's 'Project Elephant'.

The scheme was launched in Ernakulam district yesterday and more than 10 elephants were implanted with the microchips at Maradu, Puthencruz, Willingdon Island and Cherai areas in the district.

According to E K Eswaran, Chief Veterinary Surgeon with the Forest Department, the scheme had been started to ensure proper upkeep of the pachyderm by their owners.

All data concerning the elephant is being recorded on the microchip and the same is being implanted behind its left ear.

Whenever needed, these details can be decoded electronically.

''This is something like a registration number of a vehicle, which will help us to keep a track of the elephants. The specific code number of each jumbo and its special features, recorded in the microchip, would be maintained in our registers also, giving us a ready reference for them,'' he added.

Stating that the Department was implanting the microchips free of charge, he said in future, the code number would be made mandatory for all captive elephants in the state.

UNI