Kumki elephants arrive as operation to capture Aralam wild elephant advances

The operation to tranquilise and capture KM-1, the wild elephant that has caused fear in human settlements around Aralam in Kannur, has entered its final stage, according to the Forest department. A kraal, or holding enclosure, constructed at Muthanga in Wayanad has been completed. Two trained kumki elephants, Vikram and Bharat, have also reached Aralam from the Muthanga camp for the operation.

The department said its rapid response team and special tracking team were maintaining close surveillance to locate KM-1. The teams are monitoring the elephant so that the capture can be attempted when it is found in terrain suitable for the operation. Once the elephant is located at an appropriate site, an expert team will begin the chemical immobilisation procedure.

The plan is to tranquilise KM-1 and then move it safely to the kraal. The arrival of the kumki elephants and completion of the enclosure are the latest operational steps reported by the department. The material did not state when the capture attempt would take place, as the timing depends on locating KM-1 in suitable terrain.

The operation is being undertaken after the elephant’s presence in settlements around Aralam caused fear. The department’s teams are continuing surveillance while preparations for the immobilisation and transfer remain in place. The Forest department did not provide further details on the elephant’s subsequent disposition after it is moved to the kraal.

It said only that the immediate operation would involve chemical immobilisation followed by safe transport to the completed enclosure at Muthanga.