Coimbatore: At least 26 captive elephants from Kozhikamuthi camp at Topslip in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) were shifted to Manambolly, Varagaliyar and Chinnar in view of rising mercury, water scarcity and renovation work.According to an official source, water in the stream near the Kozhikamuthi elephant camp had become inadequate for all the 26 elephants. “So, the forest department decided to shift the animals two weeks ago.”Bhargava Teja, deputy director, ATR, said they had shifted six elephants to Chinnar, another 10 to Varagaliyar and five elephants each to Manamobolly and a place near Kozhikamuthi. “During summer, we usually shift the camp elephants to nearby areas where abundant water and green fodders are available.”He said the elephants were usually shifted to Varagaliyar and Chinnar in summer. “For the first time, five elephants were shifted to Manambolly reserve forest area, which has enough water and green fodder for elephants.”A Manikandan, range officer, Manambolly forest range, said they had provided accommodation for mahouts and their assistants.Pointing out that 47 Malasar tribal men from Kozhikamuthi were working as mahouts and cavadis at the camp, another source said the state government had allotted Rs9.1 crore to construct houses for them and the mahouts and cavadis attached to Theppakadu elephant camp in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. “The construction work has begun at Kozhikamuthi elephant camp. The elephants will be kept in other areas until the construction work is over.”
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