Wild tusker that killed seven captured, to be shifted to Dubare Elephant Camp

MADIKERI: The wild elephant that asserted the life of an estate labourer on August 9 at Yadur village has been captured by the forest department.

What happened

Notably, a total of seven individuals have lost their lives to wild elephant attacks from January this year in Kodagu, with the highest deaths noted in Ammathi-Siddapura limits. After widespread protests after the death of a migrant worker in the wild elephant attack two days ago, the state granted permission to capture three male tuskers in the Ammathi-Siddapura region. Similarly, the capture mission began on Tuesday and the department first drew up a plan to capture the tusker that had asserted the life of estate worker Annappa at Yaduru village on August 9. While the elephant deftly escaped all the capture attempts on Tuesday, it was captured within an estate near Chembebelluru village. It is regarding three kilometers from Yadur village on Wednesday evening.

Over 120 Forest Department staff, including five tamed elephants from the camps in the district, took part in the capture mission. The elephant, which is remarked to have put up a robust fight, was tranquillised by sharpshooter Ranjan. Kodagu Chief Conservator of Forests Sonal Virshni, Virajpet DCF Vinita Chavan, Madikeri DCF Abhishek and a number of other office-holders were present during the capture mission. The department will, meanwhile, start another mission to capture an identified male elephant on Friday.

The bottom line

For now, wild tusker that killed seven captured, to be shifted to Dubare Elephant remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.