Dhenkanal: Dhenkanal forest department officials have chalked out plans to train the injured tusker ‘Rakesh’ who was earlier put in the elephant rescue centre of Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary in the district.
The pachyderm has been kept in a separate enclosure since he was rescued from the wild. The elephant had developed some infections on his body. Those have gradually healed and hence officials are planning to train him for other purposes.
Also read: Rampaging tusker ‘Rakesh’ turns furious inside Dhenkanal’s Kapilash Zoo
“Rakesh’ was a source of terror in Talcher area. He had killed six persons in Angul district. Forest personnel had then tranquilised the pachyderm, before relocating it to the zoo.
Rakesh was brought to the sanctuary January 21 this year. Since his arrival he has been kept in the wooden enclosure with all his four legs chained. However, Rakesh broke three of the iron chains and in the process suffered a severe wound on one of his legs which later on turned into a severe infection.
After Rakesh is trained, it would be easier for the forest department to rescue other rampaging jumbos from different locations in the district and bring them to the Kapilash Sanctuary, sources said.
Commenting on the development, Kapilash forest ranger Darsania Bhoi said, ““We are planning to train Rakesh and use the pachyderm for rescue operations in future. If necessary, the department will bring mahouts (elephant trainers) from Kerala or Assam.”
PNN