Sun Mar 23 12:26:32 UTC 2025: ## Wild Elephant Captured in Hassan District, Karnataka
**Shivamogga, Karnataka, March 23, 2025** – Forest Department officials in Karnataka successfully captured a wild elephant on Sunday, March 23rd, bringing the total number of elephants captured in a recent operation to three. The tuskless male elephant, known as a “makna” elephant, was captured near Hebbanahalli in Sakleshpur taluk of Hassan district.
The operation, which began on March 16th, targeted elephants that have been raiding agricultural lands and disturbing local residents. The makna elephant was tranquilized and subsequently captured with the assistance of trained elephants.
The capture follows a series of elephant attacks in the region that resulted in four deaths within the past two months. Residents of Belur, Sakleshpur, Alur, and Arkalgud taluks had been demanding the capture and relocation of the troublesome elephants. Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre recently assured the public that all problematic elephants would be moved to the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.
The operation involved a large team, including officials from the Forest Department, veterinarians from Nagarahole and Bandipur, and the Elephant Task Force. Several trained elephants played a crucial role in the capture. The operation was overseen by Subhash Malkade, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), and R. Manoj, PCCF (Elephant Project).
First Piper 