Efforts on to capture wild elephant in Wayanad

Kozhikode: Forest department officials have launched an operation to capture a wild elephant that has been causing panic in Vadakkanad and Valluvadi areas near Sultan Bathery in Wayanad. On Friday morning, a team comprising forest veterinarians and members of the rapid response team (RRT) attempted to tranquilize the tusker. However, the dart failed to hit the animal accurately, following which the elephant retreated into the forest. The forest department has deployed four kumki elephants and around 70 personnel as part of the capture operation. Officials said the animal is currently being closely tracked. "We are monitoring its movement. The elephant is now in the Karipur forest area, and efforts to capture it will continue," the Kurichiyad forest range officer said. The male elephant, believed to be around 30 years old, has been repeatedly straying into human settlements and raiding crops, triggering fear among residents. The operation comes amid heightened tension following the recent death of a farmer, Rejeev, who was attacked while trying to drive the elephant away from his farmland. He was later found dead with severe internal injuries. The incident had sparked protests, with residents demanding urgent action from authorities.