In a significant victory for public safety and wildlife management, a high-stakes interstate operation has led to the capture of two rogue elephants in Arunachal Pradesh. These animals were reportedly responsible for several human fatalities over the past year. The operation, a collaborative effort between the forest departments of Arunachal Pradesh and Karnataka, utilized cutting-edge technology to track and secure the animals across difficult terrain.
The mission commenced on March 30, focusing on two primary locations: Deomali in the Tirap district and the Tezu-Sunpura area in the Lohit district. On April 1, the team successfully captured the first elephant near RKM School in Deomali. This individual was allegedly responsible for five deaths, including the tragic passing of former MLA Kapchen Rajkumar in July 2025.
The second phase of the operation concluded this past Sunday near Jecko village. Following an intense search using thermal scanning and eyewitness accounts, the team captured a second rogue elephant. This animal had been linked to the deaths of two individuals, including police officer Martin Lego, earlier this February. Chief Conservator of Forests Millo Tasser confirmed that the capture was executed precisely after the elephant was positively identified through advanced tracking methods.
The success of this mission is attributed to a specialized 12-member expert team from Karnataka, led by Dr. Ramesha H. This world-class unit brought specialized AI-enabled thermal forestry drones and advanced technical equipment from the Nagarhole and Bandipur Tiger Reserves. The operation received further strategic support from the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India.
Environment and Forest Minister Wangki Lowang, along with local MLA Dr. Mohesh Chai, expressed deep gratitude to the teams involved. They noted that the removal of these specific threats allows residents in these districts to finally live without the constant fear of wildlife conflict.
While the elephant operations have concluded, the mission is far from over. The same expert team is now moving toward Mayudia in the Lower Dibang Valley. Their next objective is to track and capture a tiger responsible for the death of police officer Chikseng Manpang last February, continuing the state’s efforts to balance wildlife conservation with the safety of its citizens.
