Hassan: Forest department officials on Thursday evening rescued a 20-year-old wild tusker after an 8-hour-long operation near Shiraguru village in Belur taluk. The elephant was raiding crops and creating panic among locals for several days.To ensure public safety, the department had ordered the capture and relocation of the tusker. The operation was part of a three-day exercise to radio-collar two elephants and rescue one. Officials successfully collared two elephants and also rescued the male tusker that was raiding crops after sustained efforts.The tusker was highly aggressive, making it difficult for foresters and veterinarians to administer a tranquilliser dart. Though seven elephants were deployed for the rescue operation, the elephant was eventually darted from a jeep. “The animal moved into a coffee plantation after being darted, which made the operation even more challenging,” said deputy commissioner KS Latha Kumar, who was camped at the spot.“The rescue was further delayed as the elephant was in a low-lying area. It was dark and drizzling when officials began shifting the animal to a rescue vehicle,” the DC added. The tusker was finally tied with ropes and loaded onto the rescue vehicle after being tranquillised.The capture brought great relief to villagers and forest staff as the elephant was frequently entering human habitations.A team of seven elephants — Mahendra, Ajjayya, Prashanth, Dhananjay, Ekalavya, Eshwar and Lakshman — and over 300 forest personnel took part in the operation. The operation was carried out under the guidance of deputy conservator of forests Saurabh Kumar.
