2 months ago
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A lone antheral elephant that strayed retired of the wood nether the T.N. Palayam wood scope successful the Sathyamangalam wood part was driven backmost into the reserve wood successful the aboriginal hours of Saturday (March 14, 2026) aft a 48-hour monitoring and driving cognition by the Forest Department.
The elephant, which moved retired of the wood connected March 12, was archetypal spotted astatine Kasipalayam village, astir 6 km from the reserve forest. When wood unit attempted to way the animal, it crossed the Bhavani stream and disappeared into dense bushes. The usage of thermal drones besides did not assistance officials find its nonstop location.
On Friday (March 13) morning, the elephant was spotted again adjacent Kurumandur village, astir 12 km distant by aerial region from the wood area. A squad led by T.N. Palayam Forest Range Officer John Peter monitored the elephant with the assistance of drones. As driving the elephant during the daytime proved difficult, the cognition was intensified astir 7 p.m. connected Friday to usher it backmost towards the forest. During the operation, the elephant crossed 3 large roads, including the engaged Sathyamangalam-Gobichettipalayam road. It besides crossed the Bhavani stream and the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal.
After astir 48 hours of continuous efforts, the elephant safely entered the reserve wood adjacent T.N. Palayam astir 1 a.m. connected Saturday. Officials said the cognition concluded without immoderate injuries to the nationalist oregon the animal. The Forest Department thanked the Revenue Department, Police Department, and the Electricity Board for their enactment during the operation.
