Karnataka - Madikeri   

Forest Department to send proposals to catch rogue elephants

Staff Correspondent

Five elephants have been creating havoc in Kodagu and Hassan districts Five elephants have been creating havoc in Kodagu and Hassan districts

Madikeri: The reported decision of the Department of Forests to send proposals to the Union Government to catch five elephants that have been causing havoc — four in Kodagu and one in Hassan district — has come as a big relief to the people in both districts.

According to sources in the department, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, will send the proposal to the Union Government seeking permission to catch the five pachyderms. These elephants have been creating fear among the people, besides indulging in crop depredations.

Identification

As a first step, the elephants will be identified, the process of which will begin in 15 days. Rain, which is still on in the district, could hamper the process right now, sources pointed out.

Trouble-makers

In most cases, it is the females, which will be in a herd along with their calves, causing nuisance.

Single males too indulge in creating trouble, especially attacking humans.

The department is waiting for the return of the four elephants that had gone to Mysore take part in the Dasara celebrations from the Dubare camp in Kodagu. According to sources, the elephants have returned from Mysore on Friday.

Marking elephants

The marking or identifying the elephants would include photographing the animals from different directions, collating approximate information on their height and length and that of the tusks, in case of males, apart from others, to ensure that the right animals are caught during the operations, sources said.

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Forest Department to send proposals to catch rogue elephants

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