Herd of jumbos stuck as landslides wipe out transit trail in Wayanad

KOZHIKODE: The devastating landslide at Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad-which wiped out human habitations in these villages, with 230 people dead and 78 others missing- has also impacted a key elephant transit path connecting Nilambur and Wayanad forests. A herd of 12 elephants has been confined to Neelikappu and Thanilode near the disaster-hit regions, said forest officials.

"Elephants have been using a traditional transit path to reach forests near Chooralmala and Mundakkai from Nilambur forest under New Amarambalam reserve. There used to be elephant movements as part of foraging along the route. Many elephants had reached forests near Chooralmala and Mundakkai from Nilambur forests before the disaster struck. Following the landslide, they are now finding it difficult to move back to the larger Nilambur landscape," south Wayanad divisional forest officer Ajith K Raman said.