Tusker Rolex Dies After Forest Translocation

Tamil Nadu has reported the deaths of several wild animals in recent weeks, including two tuskers named Rolex and Radhakrishnan, shortly after they were captured and moved to different forest areas. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety and care of wild animals during capture and translocation.

One of the elephants, Rolex, had become a serious threat in the Boluvampatti forest range in Coimbatore district. The tusker had damaged crops in nearby villages and was involved in incidents that led to the deaths of four people. To prevent further danger, the forest department captured the elephant from Thondamuthur.

After being captured, Rolex was translocated to Varagaliyar in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR). He was kept under observation in a wooden enclosure for 25 days to help him adjust to the new environment. The elephant was later released into the forest area of the tiger reserve on November 12.

However, just two weeks after his release, the tusker was found dead on November 26. A postmortem examination was conducted to determine the cause of death. According to the report, Rolex died due to a cardiac arrest after a fall.

The deaths of such elephants after translocation have sparked concern among wildlife activists and officials, who are calling for a review of capture and relocation procedures to ensure better protection of wild animals.