A high-stakes operation is underway in Gudalur, where specialized Kumki elephants are being mobilized to capture a wild tusker known to locals as ‘Radhakrishnan.’ This male elephant is believed to be responsible for numerous negative interactions and deaths in the O’Valley region over the past decade, sparking a crucial wildlife intervention.
While local accounts attribute up to twelve fatalities to ‘Radhakrishnan,’ conservationists urge caution, suggesting that not all incidents may be solely linked to this particular elephant, as other tuskers also roam the area. Regardless, a recent attack on two motorcyclists prompted swift action from the State’s Chief Wildlife Warden, who has now granted permission for the elephant’s capture.
R. Kiruba Shankar, the Field Director of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Conservator of Forests for the Nilgiris, outlined the department’s strategy. The plan involves safely capturing the elephant and temporarily housing it in a kraal, a specialized enclosure. After a period of rehabilitation and conditioning, ‘Radhakrishnan’ will be released back into the wild, though intentionally in a different area to prevent further human-elephant conflict. Four Kumki elephants will be instrumental in ensuring the success of this delicate operation, which is expected to conclude in the coming days.
The ultimate goal of confining the elephant in a kraal is to discourage it from approaching human settlements in the future. Upon its release, the elephant will be fitted with a radio-collar, enabling continuous monitoring of its movements from a dedicated control center. This proactive measure aims to ensure both public safety and the elephant’s well-being in its new habitat.