Wild elephants driven back into Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

Three wild elephants that entered the Aralam rehabilitation area by breaching an old elephant wall were driven back into the forest on Saturday (July 19).

The elephants had been camping near the Kottapara Jalnidhi tank in Block 10 and had previously broken through the wall on July 15. Despite being pushed back into the forest then, they returned by breaching the same spot again.

Following the intrusion, a 16-member task force was deployed under the instructions of Divisional Forest Officer Vysakh Sasikumar. The operation was led by Kottiyoor Range Officer Nithin Raj, along with members of the Rapid Response Team and forest staff from Irrity, Keezhpally, Manathana, and Aralam Wildlife Range.

After several hours of coordinated effort, the jumbos were successfully driven past temporary fencing and back into the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. Officials have since recharged the electric fence to prevent further breaches.