India - Elephant patrol to check poaching

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.