Operation Gajamukti: Elephant guided from Aralam farm to sanctuary in Kerala drive
Kannur: Forest officials successfully drove another wild elephant from Aralam Farm into the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as part of Operation Gajamukti, a coordinated mission launched by the Kerala Forest Department to reduce human-wildlife conflict in the region.
The operation began around 9 am when the mission team located the elephant in the Chomani Odachal area of Aralam Farm Block 13. Officials tracked the animal and carefully guided it through the Anappara fencing before driving it safely back into the forest inside the sanctuary.
The drive was conducted under the leadership of the Aralam Wildlife Warden and the Kottiyoor Range Officer on Thursday. A 25-member task force took part in the operation, including forest department officials and watchers from the Keezhpally, Manathana, Tholambra and Aralam sections, along with personnel from the Iritty and Narikadavu stations.
Forest authorities said efforts to remove the remaining wild elephants from the farm area will continue over the coming days as part of the ongoing Operation Gajamukti elephant drive.
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Earlier on Wednesday, the Kerala Forest Department successfully drove two wild elephants back into the forest under the same mission.
According to officials, the elephant drive began on the morning of March 4 from Block 7 of Aralam Farm, which borders the Wayanad forest region. Forest personnel carried out coordinated tracking and herding measures to push the animals away from human settlements and guide them back into their natural habitat.
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Officials said the operation forms part of the department’s broader strategy to manage human-elephant conflict in northern Kerala while ensuring the safety of both residents and wildlife.
Nearly 30 personnel were involved in the operation, including officers from multiple forest department wings, forest watchers and security staff from Aralam Farm. Four Forest Department vehicles were deployed to support the elephant drive.
ANI