Seven held with elephant tusk in Malappuram

Forest authorities in Malappuram have apprehended seven individuals for attempting to transport an elephant tusk weighing approximately 3.5 kilograms. On Monday, the Nilambur range flying squad and Kalikavu range office intercepted the group on the Puthanathani-Tirunavaya road, following a tip from the forest intelligence unit. The suspects, driving two cars, were from various locations including Meppadi, Wayanad, Alathiyur, Tirur, Puthanathani, and were identified as Faisal Cholakkal, Jamsheer Tharayil, Abdul Jabbar Tharayil, Shobish Vettath, Abdul Sameer Babu, Shameer Rayammarakkar, and Zubair Neduvamcheri.

The seized items include the tusk, two vehicles, a pistol, and two knives. This marks the second seizure of an elephant tusk in Kerala within a week, with a similar case reported in Kozhikode recently. The Forest department is currently investigating the origin of the tusk and those involved in the illicit trade.