Tamil Nadu pakkam irundhu vandhirukkaanga. On more than half a dozen occasions, the duo prevented wild herds from crossing the Chennai–Bengaluru railway tracks. “They understand our tone, not just commands,” says Nadeem, an experienced mahout at the Palamaner camp. Despite the growing importance of kumki elephants, a significant gap remains in public participation. With more than a hundred wild elephants in the region, the challenges are far from over.

Source: The Hindu April 03, 2026 05:15 UTC