MADIKERI: The Kodagu Circle of the Forest Department has finally captured a one-tusked elephant at Abyala of Ponnathmottee near Chettalli on Thursday.
According to sources, the elephant is responsible for three deaths in Siddapura area. He was shifted to Dubare Elephant Camp.
After the department granted permission, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kodagu Circle, Manojkumar swung into action.
Deputy Commissioner Mir Anees Ahmed granted permission to block Chettalli-Siddapura Road and the operation began.
Elephants Abhimanyu, Krishna and Arjuna from Mattigod Forest Camp and Harsha, Vikrama and Prashanth from Dubaare Elephant Camp were pressed into service along with mahouts and kavadis. Forest officials along with 60 odd guards and foresters started their work by offering puja at Abyala. Prior to the operation, the deputy commissioner along with senior officials offered puja to the tame elephants.
After the elephant was tranquilised, water was poured on it to keep it cool and ropes were tied to its legs. When it recovered, the tame elephants directed it towards the vehicle in which it was shifted to the Dubare Elephant Camp.
Though a herd of 12 elephants was said to be in the area, owing to the movement of people, they scattered.
One tusker refused to budge from the spot, but Abhimanyu chased him into the forest.