(IN) Cruelty shown to Kerala elephant

[Guest guest]

An elephantine problem

 

Staff Reporter

Hindu Times

 

Attempts to make the elephant retrace the route it took to the island and return

to the mainland failed.

 

KOCHI: In the blistering summer heat, one cannot blame an elephant if it finds

the backwaters irresistible.

 

Out in Ezhupunna, Alappuzha, tusker Neelakandan not only broke its chains

and ran over 3 km, but it jumped into the waters and reached a stone’s throw

away from Kakkathuruth island on Thursday morning.

 

The 350-odd families in the island were astonished to see the mammoth guest,

since no elephant had ever come anywhere near the isle.

 

Country boats provided the sole connectivity to the mainland for the

residents.

 

The watery journey had its pitfalls — Neelakandan was caught in a marshy

area near the isle. He was pulled ashore by residents of the locality and

personnel from the Fire and Rescue Service.

 

He is reported to have chosen the backwater trail, to flee from

ill-treatment. But he was calm and did not harm people or property. There

was some collateral damage though – a few people suffered injuries when they

ran for their life on seeing the approaching elephant.

 

The tusker got quite a good reception from the islanders, who fed it well

despite fears that it might lose its cool any moment and wreak havoc on the

isle. A few attempts to make Neelakandan retrace the route it took and

return to the mainland failed, probably because it was enjoying the

adulation and the royal treatment meted out by the islanders.

 

It also seemed to have doubts about whether it would be able to swim back.

 

As on Saturday, plans to put together a catamaran to take him back to the

mainland were given up since doubts arose whether the vessel would be able

to bear the weight.

 

On Sunday, Neelakandan’s owner - Shaji from Kottayam, is likely to ferry him

to the mainland in a barge that is used to transport bulk cargo. Initially,

plans to bring in a barge were given up, since it would cost quite a sum.

 

The festive mood in the isle is continuing, with people streaming in to get

an update about the tusker which has become one among them.

 

Many among them were tourists wanting to see the tusker tied to a tree on

the coast.

 

Anyway, Kakkathuruth residents are enjoying the media limelight that their

homestead has been enjoying for the past couple of days.

 

Their dream of having a bridge to the mainland too might fructify, since

none knows what more surprises future holds for them.