Forest patrolling: AP to get nine elephants from Karnataka

The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department has requested nine trained camp elephants from Karnataka for patrolling purposes. The Karnataka government also agreed in principle to provide them along with specialist assistance for training the mahouts.

Trained camp elephants would be drafted for patrolling the wildlife sanctuaries and its vast timber reserves in the Nallamala forests. The government has decided to step patrolling in the forests where smuggling of red sanders has become a major problem eluding a permanent solution. Deployment of patrolling parties in a big way was also intended to check forest fires too.

However, some activists have raised concerns about inexperienced kumki elephants being used in the camps, especially after the death of the famed Dasara elephant Arjuna. The Forests officials clarified that these elephants are not intended for kumki operations but rather for patrolling. It is essential to ensure the welfare of these majestic animals in their new roles. If you’re interested in supporting captive elephant welfare globally, initiatives like the Captive Elephant Welfare Fund work toward enhancing their lives.