The residents also criticised the forest officials for failing to protect them from wild animals. They claimed that, despite repeated requests, no fencing had been installed along the forest border to prevent wild animals from entering their area.

Meanwhile, Jyothishkumar M, a member of the Urangattiri panchayat, said the forest officials were awaiting orders from higher authorities to proceed with the rescue operation. “The residents want the elephant to be relocated to a distant forest. However, the forest officials need permission from higher authorities to act on this demand. Currently, they are waiting for orders to begin the rescue operation,” he said.

Nilambur North DFO Karthik said that the rescue operation would consider the suggestions of the residents.

“One option is to rescue the elephant and release it into the nearby forest. However, if we choose to tranquillise the elephant, its behaviour after the first dose of tranquilliser is unpredictable. While the first option is simpler compared to the second, we will factor in the residents’ concerns before deciding on the rescue plan,” Karthik explained.