Forest Department captures tusker near Kudremukh, says animal killed two persons near Kerekatte in Sringeri taluk of Karnataka

The Forest Department captured a 40-year-old tusker, said to be responsible for the death of two persons at Kerekatte Range of Kudremukh Wildlife Division in Sringeri taluk of Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka, on November 2 evening. Two persons died in an elephant attack near Kerekatte on October 31.

A team of over 150 Forest Department staff and officials, besides five trained elephants, were involved in the operation. The animal was captured close to Bhagawathi Nature Camp of Jungle Lodges near Kudremukh.

Following the death of two persons, the local people staged a protest demanding a permanent solution to the human-elephant conflict in the region. The department began preparations to capture the elephant on November 1.

A team of five trained elephants from Dubare and Dodda Harave camps were brought on November 2 morning. The ground staff kept track of the tusker’s movement. Veterinarians fired a tranquilizer dart around 4.30 p.m. The anilmal was loaded on a truck.

APCCF Manoj Ranjan, Mangaluru Circle Conservator of Forests V. Karikalan, DCF of Kudremukh Wildlife Sivaram Babu and other senior officers supervised the operation.

Mr. Sivaram Babu told The Hindu that the captured elephant, weighing about 5,000 kg, would be kept under observation at Dodda Harave camp. “The elephant has been known for raiding crops. It had been moving from Agumbe in Shivamogga district to Bhagamandala in Kodagu district. However, there were no instances of causing human deaths, until October 31. Earlier, there were attempts to capture the animal in 2014 and 2019 in Shivamogga, which failed,” the officer said.

Rehabilitation of families in Kerekatte Range

The Forest Department is prepared to relocate 17 families in Kerekatte Range, where the movement of wild animals had been noticed. “The department is seeking ₹20 crore to shift these families. As soon as we get the funds, we will relocate them. The families are willing to move out,” an officer said.

There are 1,382 families within the Kudremukh National Park. Among them, 653 have volunteered to move out. So far, the government has rehabilitated 355.

On November 1, Minister for Energy K.J. George, who is also minister in-charge of Chikkamagaluru district, visited the families of people who died in the elephant attack. He stated that the State Government would seek funds from the Centre to rehabilitate all the families.