Mysuru: Forest department officials rescued a 20-year-old wild tusker after an eight-hour operation near Shiraguru village in Belur taluk on Thursday evening. The elephant had been raiding crops and causing panic among residents for several days.
The department had ordered the capture and relocation of the tusker as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety.
Aggressive elephant made rescue difficult
The operation was part of a three-day exercise in which forest officials planned to radio-collar two elephants and rescue another. Officials successfully radio-collared two elephants and eventually rescued the crop-raiding tusker after sustained efforts.
The elephant was highly aggressive, making it difficult for foresters and veterinarians to administer a tranquilliser dart. Seven trained elephants were deployed during the operation before officials finally managed to dart the tusker from a jeep.
After being tranquillised, the elephant moved into a coffee plantation, making the rescue more challenging.
Rescue continued in darkness and rain
Deputy Commissioner KS Latha Kumar, who was present at the site, said the operation was further delayed after the elephant entered a low-lying area.
It was dark and drizzling when forest officials began shifting the animal to the rescue vehicle. The tusker was eventually secured with ropes and loaded onto the vehicle after the tranquilliser took effect.
The successful capture brought relief to villagers and forest personnel, as the elephant had frequently been entering human habitations.
More than 300 personnel involved
A team of seven elephants — Mahendra, Ajjayya, Prashanth, Dhananjay, Ekalavya, Eshwar and Lakshman — took part in the operation along with more than 300 forest personnel.
The rescue operation was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Conservator of Forests Saurabh Kumar.
The department’s efforts were aimed at preventing further conflict between the tusker and local communities while ensuring the animal could be safely relocated.