Karnataka Forest Dept engages three trained elephants to transport wild elephants roaming around human settlements in Shivamogga.

Three kumki elephants from the Sakrebailu elephant camp have been involved in a relocation campaign that began on October 29, 2024. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Forest Department has started a drive to drive away the wild elephants that are causing trouble in parts of the villages near the Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary near Shivamogga to the forests. Three kumki elephants from the Sakrebailu elephant camp have been involved in the operation which started on Monday (October 29, 2024).

Residents of Puradalu, Maleshankara, Bellur, Sirigere, Aladevara Hosur and nearby villages in Shivamogga taluk complained of elephant menace. Elephants raided agricultural fields many times. A farmer died in an elephant attack near Puradal on August 24. After such incidents, the villagers protested and demanded the Forest Department to arrest the elephants and transport them.

Prasanna Krishna Patagar, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife Division) in Shivamogga, said A Hindu that three elephants were brought to Sakrebail camp for surgery.

“We are trying to drive the elephants back to safe areas, away from human settlements. From our point of view, there are about 10 to 12 elephants roaming around this area. Of them, five have entered the area recently. Our personnel are monitoring their movements and trying to stop them from the large forest areas of Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary,” said the officer.