Suresh : “Karnataka, Tamil Nadu forest officials intensify tusker tracking efforts after fatal attacks”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Karnataka forest officials
2. Tamil Nadu tusker attacks

Two recent deaths in elephant attacks have prompted forest department officials in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to take action. A tusker is suspected to be responsible for trampling two individuals near Bannerghatta National Park, leading to heightened efforts to locate and capture the animal. Using technology like the Hejje app and night vision drones, officials are tracking the tusker’s movements. Local farmers are demanding barricading and capture of the elephant, as its population and movement have increased. Postmortems have confirmed the deaths were due to elephant attacks, with compensation provided to the families of the deceased. Rail barricading efforts are underway in affected areas to prevent further incidents.

Elephant Attack Shakes Up Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

In a series of unfortunate events, two people lost their lives in an elephant attack near Bannerghatta National Park, Kodihalli range, bordering Tamil Nadu. The incidents have left forest department officials in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on high alert as they work to track down the tusker responsible for the tragic deaths.

Increased Elephant Movement

Forest officials have noted a rise in the movement of elephants in the area, attributed to changing weather conditions. Earlier, drought had forced elephants to move in search of food and water, and now with the onset of rain, their movement has increased even more. This has led to heightened encounters between humans and elephants, resulting in the recent fatalities.

Technological Tracking

Forest officials in Karnataka are utilizing all available technology to track down the tusker in question. Using the Hejje app and night vision drones, they are closely monitoring the elephant’s movements. The tusker is currently inside the forest and heading towards Tamil Nadu. Once it is confirmed that this is the same animal responsible for the attacks, a decision will be made on capturing it.

Local Concerns

Local residents have expressed their concerns over the safety of their community in the face of increased elephant activity. Following the recent deaths, farmers staged a protest demanding better barricading measures and the capture of the offending elephant. Forest officials have been issuing repeated alerts to caution people against venturing out at night or early morning when elephant activity is high.

Compensation and Safety Measures

As per regulations, the families of the deceased will receive compensation of Rs 15 lakh each. Additionally, areas where the incidents occurred are being earmarked for rail barricading to prevent further tragic incidents. In the Kodihalli range alone, 6km of rail barricading is underway, with plans for an additional 60km in and around Bannerghatta National Park.

The recent elephant attacks serve as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between humans and wildlife in shared habitats. As authorities work to address the immediate threat posed by the rogue tusker, efforts to mitigate human-elephant conflicts in the long term are also being prioritized.