Captured elephants set free in the forests

Operation Gajendra comes to an end

The forest officials on Wednesday released the four elephants that were captured by the forest authorities. It may be recalled that the elephants that had been on rampage in the tribal hamlets in the districts of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts before being caught were driven away by 40 trackers who were specially requisitioned from West Bengal with the assistance of two trained elephants viz., Ganesh and Jayanti.

The four joined the three rough elephants which have been at large. The officials took the step as the elephants cannot be held captive for more than four days as per the guidelines of the Wildlife authorities. The heavy rains in Andhra Pradesh interrupted the transportation. The 40 trackers from West Bengal are driving away the elephants back to the forest and will keep a strict vigil on the location of the rough elephants till they are driven back to Lakheri.

The conservator of forests, PV Padmanabham said that the trackers who are pushing the elephants back to forests would monitor the herd's location and according to experts, the elephants might go back to their habitations. The next step would be taken after watching the jumbo's movements, he added.

Encyclopedia Reference: Elephant, Trample, Shifting