On March 5, the Forest Department of Kerala executed a specialised mission under its ‘Operation Gajamukti’ initiative, successfully capturing two wild elephants and relocating them to the Aralam Farm forest. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to address the increasing instances of human-wildlife conflict in the area. The operation aims to prevent elephants from encroaching upon human settlements while ensuring the safety of both local residents and wildlife.

The elephant capture began on the morning of March 4, originating from Block 7 of Aralam Farm, which is adjacent to the Wayanad forest region. Officials from the Forest Department implemented coordinated strategies to encourage the animals to leave human-populated areas and return to the safety of the forest. The mission was led by the Wildlife Warden of the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary along with the Kottiyoor Range Officer.

During the operation, the team quickly identified the presence of two wild elephants within the vicinity. One of the elephants was successfully directed towards the helipad area before midday, while the other moved deeper into the farm area. After persistent efforts, both elephants were ultimately guided through the Kottapara fencing via Thalipara and successfully reintroduced into the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, marking the completion of the operation for the day.

Operation Gajamukti

In total, approximately 30 personnel took part in the operation, comprising officers from various divisions of the Forest Department, forest watchers, and security staff from Aralam Farm. The mission was supported by four Forest Department vehicles, facilitating the necessary logistics for the drive. Coordinated efforts included collaboration with local police, the panchayat, the Tribal Rehabilitation and Development Mission (TRDM), and the Health Department, with liaison officers positioned in the Aralam panchayat to further mitigate human-wildlife encounters.

Forest officials emphasised that efforts to locate and drive away any remaining wild elephants in the area will continue, reflecting a commitment to reducing conflicts that could endanger both people and animals.

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