(IN): Jobless Andaman tuskers set out for Kanha

May 11, 2009

daman-tuskers-set-out-for-Kanha-/articleshow/4503689.cms

*Jobless Andaman tuskers set out for Kanha*

9 May 2009, 2010 hrs IST, PTI

PORT BLAIR: Four

elephants have started their voyage by ship from Bay Islands in Andaman and

Nicobar Islands to Madhya Pradesh's Kanha National Park after they were

rendered jobless here.

" The authorities of Kanha, known for its

tigers, had approached Andaman and Nicobar administration for ten elephants

which used to carry logs after trees been felled in the forest, " In-Charge

Wildlife, Khajan Singh, said.

Accordingly ten elephants were selected to be gifted to Kahna as public had

demanded presence of elephants in the park.

A team of forest officials from Madhya Pradesh reached Andaman to take

possession of the elephants, named Ambika, Sharoon, Mohini and Sumitra, from

different forest camps.

They set out for Chennai port enroute to Kanha on Wednesday, officials said.

Six other elephants would be sent next month as there was not enough space in

the ship, Singh said.

He said these elephants have become jobless since Supreme Court banned

felling of trees in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 2001 and were putting a

burden on the exchequer for their salary and perks.

Last year, five such elephants were sold to a circus owner in Kerala,

sources said.

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