The Forest Department has stationed three kumkis at Dhaliyur near Thondamuthur in Coimbatore district for its proposed operation to capture a wild elephant that is believed to have killed at least four persons in the Coimbatore Forest Division.

Official sources said that kumki Kapildev from Kozhikamuthi elephant camp of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) was brought to Coimbatore on Tuesday evening and was stationed along with camp mates Narasimhan and Muthu, who were brought a few days ago, at Dhaliyur.

The kumkis were brought to the location in advance for acclimatisation before the operation, which the department is likely to execute within a few days.

Forest Veterinary Officers S. Vennila from Coimbatore division and E. Vijayaraghavan from ATR are monitoring the wild tusker, named ‘Rolex’ by locals, ahead of the operation.

An official from the department said the tusker was roaming within the limits of the Coimbatore forest range on Wednesday. The animal has been moving between Coimbatore and Boluvampatti forest ranges in the past few months.

Four persons are believed to have died in negative interactions with the tusker in Periyanaickenpalayam, Coimbatore and Boluvampatti forest ranges of the Coimbatore division in the past several months. The last two deaths were reported in Boluvampatti range. The Chief Wildlife Warden issued an order for the capture of the elephant following repeated demands from the public.

The official added that the kumkis were stationed at Dhaliyur as it is a convenient place located between Coimbatore and Boluvampatti ranges. The plan is to tranquillise the tusker when it is found in a convenient location outside the forest boundary.