Shivamogga: A major operation to capture a wild elephant in the Channagiri range, Shivamogga Circle, was launched on Monday. The elephant retreated into the hills at Channagiri in Davanagere district, as the operation entered day two, on Tuesday.Despite a heavy deployment of tracking teams and camp elephants, the wild tusker has been successfully evading capture, roaming close to agricultural fields under the cover of darkness. The intensive operation was greenlit by principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden, Kumar Pushkar, following weeks of severe crop and property damage.The elephant’s regular incursions into human settlements across Roppadahatti, Rajagondanahalli, Aigni, Nellahankalu, Maravanji, Halakanal, Bandigudda and surrounding pockets, had triggered widespread panic among the local farming communities, making its swift removal an absolute necessity.According to the deputy conservator of forests (Bhadravathi division), BM Ravindra Kumar, the high-stakes mission is being executed strictly in accordance with established SOPs. To ensure a seamless capture and minimise the risk to both the animal and the public, the department has mobilised a highly specialised task force, he stated.The plan is to safely tranquillise and capture the wild tusker, fit it with a radio collar to track future movements and translocate it to a deeper forest habitat away from human habitation. Ground teams remain on high alert as they look to restrict the elephant’s movements ahead of tonight’s tracking cycle, IFS officer informed TOI.The operation is being spearheaded by top wildlife veterinarians, including Dr Mujeeb ur Rehman (chief veterinary officer, Kodagu circle) and Dr Muruli Manohar (veterinary officer, Sakrebailu elephant camp).On ground, the experts are being assisted by ‘Team D’ from Sakrebailu elephant camp, which includes a contingent of trained elephants. Specialised tracking units and an animal restraint technical support team have also been pressed into service, drawing additional forest personnel from the Umblebailu, Mavinakatte, Lakkavalli and Tarikere ranges in Chikkamagaluru district.
