Bhubaneswar: In a co-ordinated operation on Tuesday night, the errant wild tusker of Chandaka wildlife sanctuary was darted by a tranquillising team, radio-collared, and relocated to Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Angul district in a special elephant rescue vehicle known as the ‘Airawat’.Though darted at 8.30 pm, it took 4 hours for the 30-odd personnel to ensure that the elephant was safely lodged in the special vehicle with the effect of sedation still on. After the first shot was fired, the team to ensure that the sedation lasted long also gave a top-up as the animal had to be fitted with a radio collar. Since it was a forest area, a sub-road was carved out to allow the crane and ‘Airawat’ to access it, forest officials said.
“After midnight, we were sure that the elephant was ready for relocation as it stabilised inside the vehicle. Teams from Nandankanan, Bhubaneswar circle’s rapid response team (RRT), and teams from Angul forest divisions were on the job. The elephant reached Satkosia Tiger Reserve at 3 am and, early morning, the vehicle’s door was opened to allow it to come out,” said DFO (Chandaka) Binod Acharya.The aggressive pachyderm was released in Raigoda, a deep core area of the reserve, which does not have any human habitation nearby. The wildlife wing hoped that the elephant would acclimatise to the new habitat and would not disperse. “Its movement will be tracked continuously through the radio collar. After discussion with higher-ups, the place was selected for it to be released,” said Swanjay Swain, regional chief conservator of forests (Angul circle).The elephant has damaged boundary walls, several concrete structures, and fencing near and inside the Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC). The 25-year-old tusker was under the watch of tranquillising teams and other field personnel to prevent conflict with humans since Monday morning after it strayed out of Bharatpur and walked into human habitation. The elephant was well-built and had long and strong tusks. It was one from a herd that was frequently seen around Bharatpur.In Dec last year, Chandaka authorities suspended tourism activities around Sikharchandi, a tourist hotspot, as 2 wild tuskers strayed into human habitation, triggering panic among city residents. Three days later, picnics resumed. Both police and forest personnel had to keep a watch at the site.
