Operation to capture tuskers begins on Wednesday

Forest Department to attach radio collars to four wild female elephants

The Forest Department will launch an operation on Wednesday to put radio collars on four wild female elephants and capture two tuskers causing trouble in parts of Alur and Sakleshpur taluks. A team of five tame elephants and mahouts have reached the temporary camp set up at Ale Belur in Sakleshpur taluk.

Sivaram Babu, Deputy Conservator of Forests, on Tuesday told

The Hindu: “We will start with putting radio collars on four female elephants, which are leading the herds. Five tame elephants have reached our camp. Veterinarians, staff and medicine required to tranquilise elephants are all in place.”

Following incidents of elephant attacks on human beings and damage to crops, residents of Sakleshpur and Alur taluks sought the capture of all wild elephants.

According to the officers, around 40 elephants have been roaming in parts of the two taluks in different groups. “We have got permission to capture two tuskers. We will track the movement of elephants by using our four tuskers and then we will capture them,” the DCF said.

Elephant herds are led by female elephants. The staff will identify the ones leading the herds and attach radio collars to them. Later, their movement will be tracked on to conduct the further operation of capturing tuskers.

More than 60 people have died in man-elephant conflicts in Hassan district in the last 10 years.