Elephant patrolling in WWS in Kerala

Kalpetta (Kerala) Aug 28: The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) has introduced elephant patrolling in its 344 sq km jurisdiction along Karnataka and Tamil Nadu borders to curb praching. The Forest Department has embarked on such a venture, perhaps first time in Kerala, as it will enable forest personnel to easily search interiors and hilly terrains where vehicle and foot patrol are impossible, Assistant Wildlife Warden K Radhakrishna Lal told on Wednesday, Aug 28.

In the first phase the patrol party, comprising three tuskers, four guards, four watchers and six mahouts, would cover 74 sq km Muthanga Forest Range between 0800 hrs to 1700 hrs.

Later, it would shift to the Sulthan Bathery, Kurichiad and Tholpetty Forest Ranges, he said.

The decision was taken at a meeting of forest personnel of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka last week, he added.

Adjacent to WWS are Bandipur Tiger Reserve and the Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka and the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu.

UNI