Forest department to conduct captive jumbo census in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: The day-long census of captive elephants in the district as part of the statewide census will be held on Thursday.

The social forestry department officials have formed special squads to simultaneously conduct the census of elephants stationed at different locations.

The census aims to collect the details of all captive elephants in the state and prepare a record of their health condition and other details. The teams comprising forest department officials and veterinary doctors will also examine the registers maintained by the owners of the elephants.

"The census is being conducted across the state on a single day following a directive of the Supreme Court," said V Santhosh Kumar, assistant conservator, Social Forestry Department, Kozhikode. As per our existing records, we have captive elephants in Kozhikode and Koyilandy forest ranges and squads will operate in these two limits to examine the health condition as well as other documents regarding the elephants, he said.

The social forestry department, here, has also formed a standby squad to conduct the census if any of the elephants is located away from Koyilandy and Kozhikode. The owners of captive elephants will present all records and registers regarding the ownership, health check-up details of the elephant.

The social forestry department has also sought the support of volunteer groups, students and public to collect information regarding the presence of captive elephants in their locality

According to the details with the Social Forestry Department, only 11 elephants are registered in Kozhikode. Of the total elephants registered only 6 are stationed in the district. While 3 are in Palakkad, others elephants are stationed in Wayanad, Idukki, Kollam and other districts.

The total number of elephants stationed in Kozhikode is 13.

According to the law, a report from the veterinary doctors and forest department officials regarding the health conditions of an elephant is required for using an elephant above 40 years of age for temple festivals and other purposes. As per the data with the forest department, all 11 elephants registered here fulfil the criteria.

However, six of the captive elephants stationed in Kozhikode are below 40, said the official. "The process of preparing health report of other elephants has started," said the official adding that the blood samples of the animal would be sent to Mannuthi

Veterinary University on Monday.

The elephants aged above 40 can be taken to festivals only if the district collector approves the health report. The report will be prepared after the examination of samples by experts, said V Santhosh Kumar.

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