Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu commended forest officials and wildlife experts for successfully tranquilizing and capturing two rogue elephants. These elephants had caused fear and claimed the lives of at least seven people in Tirap and Lohit districts. The operation, carried out by the Arunachal Pradesh Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department in collaboration with Karnataka government officials, aimed to address the animals’ threat.
The rogue elephants were responsible for multiple human fatalities and extensive damage to crops, property, and assets in the affected districts. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) also played vital roles in the operation. The mission, which began on March 30, led to the capture of the first elephant on April 1 near Narottam Nagar in Deomali.
In a subsequent operation, another rogue elephant was captured near Jecko village. This elephant had been linked to the deaths of at least two individuals, including a police officer. A team of experts from Karnataka, led by Dr. Ramesha H, was deployed at the state government’s request to assist in the operation. The team collaborated closely with the Arunachal Pradesh Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department to ensure the success of the mission.
Advanced technology, such as AI-enabled thermal forestry drones and modern equipment from Bandipur and Nagarhole Tiger Reserves in Karnataka, was utilized during the operation. State Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Wangki Lowang also commended the officials and experts involved in the successful capture of the rogue elephants. Chief Minister Pema Khandu emphasized the importance of strong inter-state and institutional cooperation in wildlife management and human safety.
