Other states now eye Karnataka’s jumbos

Mysore: While Karnataka can pat itself on the back for  having the largest elephant population in the country thanks to its conservation measures , it is facing a problem of plenty currently with human-elephant conflict  on the rise in many parts of the state.

Forced to launch a  series of elephant capturing operations, the state forest department has nearly 100 captive jumbos in over eight camps presently and is being pursued by  other states to part with at least a  few them. 

Going by sources in the forest department , demand is huge from Madhya Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Kerala and Goa. While the Madhya Pradesh forest department has asked for 24 elephants, Uttaranchal needs 12 , Kerala ,  five  and Goa,  one.  

As Madhya Pradesh has been requesting  Karnataka to spare some of its elephants for over four years now, PCCF (wildlife), Vinay Luthra has decided to send it nine elephants and could spare  one elephant for Goa too, according to senior forest official.

“Veterinarians and expert teams from other states have visited elephant camps in Karnataka and identified the animals  they want to take home. Age, health and endurance of the elephants are all being taken into consideration,”  he added .

Early this year, the forest department captured 22 rogue elephants in Hassan district alone  and  sent them to different camps in Mysore and Kodagu districts.

“We will first take care of our future needs and then  send elephants to other states. Some of the elephants that were captured in Hassan are in very good shape and can be trained to participate in the Mysore Dasara”, said Mysore DCF, Karikalan.