SULTHAN BATHERY (Kerala): An elephant
patrol will roam the deep forests of Kerala in a bid to check
poaching.
The anti-poaching patrol in Wayanad district consists of
three elephants, mahouts and forest officials.
"We started the patrol
on Monday. The team has around 15 members. We arranged this patrol following
information from Tamil Nadu authorities that poachers could become active along
Kerala-Tamil Nadu border this season," K. Radhakrishna Lal, assistant wildlife
warden at Muthanga in Wayanad, said.
Wayanad district shares border
with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The elephants in the patrol, Dineshan, Kunju and
Suryan, belong to the forest department.
The forest officials say
that elephant patrol has many advantages.
"With the help of elephants
we can enter even thick forests and marshy areas. Elephants clear the way for
those on foot. While riding on elephant better surveillance is also possible,"
Lal said.
The patrol at a stretch will spend three days inside the
forest, keeping a close watch on all activities.