The elephant which killed four persons near here was in ‘musth,’ Tamil Nadu forest minister, Dindigul Srinivasan said today.

The elephant, which strayed into Vellalore from Madukkarai forests, had killed those who crossed it’s way, since it suddenly developed ‘musth’ Srinivasan told reporters here.

Meanwhile, the elephant was tranquilised by shooting two darts and captured with the help of a Kumki. Some six earth movers cornered the pachyderm and the kumki pushed it to a waiting lorry, where it was tied with chain and ropes, forest department sources said.

It will be taken to Varagazhiyar Camp in the evening, they said.

Srinivasan, who visited the spot along with Municipal Administration Minister, SP Velumani, said that the department will take all possible steps to prevent the wild animals entering human habitat.

He said the department has been asked to remove all obstacles in elephant corridors, so that the pachyderm move freely and more anti-Poaching watchers will be appointed to monitor the movement of wild animals.

Earlier both the ministers visited the Government Hospital and consoled to the families of the deceased and the injured, official sources said.

He said that Chief Minister, Edapadi Palanisamy has already announced Rs.four lakh each as solatium to the nearest kin of the deceased and Rs.59,100 to the injured, they said.