Rescued Cub a Tiger Now to be Rewilded from ATR

Last year, the Tamil Nadu Government had successfully released 35-year-old  elephant Rivaldo into the wild after nearly three months of captivity. More than a decade ago, 4 inches of its trunk was cut off on a snare. Though he was harmless and friendly, the wild elephant was made captive in a kraal following demands after a wall collapse incident. However it was let off back in the wild with a state of art radio collar  that tracks its movement. On World Elephant Day, Chief Minister M K Stalin complimented the Forest Department for rewilding. He tweeted “let’s commit ourselves to conserve elephants and end their captivation and exploitation. Ensuring the majestic animal’s dignity is the duty of humankind.”

Forest officials and the court monitor the jumbo’s movement. Sources say now the tusker has migrated to Bandipur in Karnataka and mixes well with other herds. “The new government in Tamil Nadu is giving a push for rewilding. Rivaldo is a good success story.  This tiger rewilding too is another positive step. Freedom can’t be compromised” says Antony Rubin, Member, Tamil Nadu Wildlife Board.