Call to drop 'Rolex' tag for elephant after fatal attacks

THE wild elephant that allegedly killed two women in July and has been roaming the Boluvampatti forest range has stirred a debate - not just over human-animal conflict, but over what to call it.

- S SENTHIL KUMAR @ Coimbatore

THE wild elephant that allegedly killed two women in July and has been roaming the Boluvampatti forest range has stirred a debate - not just over human-animal conflict, but over what to call it. Locals have nicknamed the solitary tusker "Rolex," after the character played by actor Suriya in the film Vikram, citing its aggressive behaviour.

Wildlife activists and experts, however, say such informal naming trivialises a serious issue and can skew public perception.