Karnataka plans phased elephant release in Bhadra Sanctuary

The Karnataka Forest Department is planning to "soft release" captured elephants into the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. This action aims to reduce human-elephant conflicts in the districts of Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu. Around 200 elephants have been causing issues in these areas. They often raid crops and sometimes attack people, leading locals to demand the capture of all elephants nearby. The Forest Department's soft-release program involves keeping the elephants in a 20 square kilometer enclosure for several months before releasing them. Forest officials have identified four potential release sites within the Bhadra Sanctuary. This sanctuary is already home to about 450 elephants, but it can accommodate 200 more. The chosen sites will have access to water, food, and be far from human activities. After the elephants are captured, they will be monitored by veterinarians in the enclosure. The elephants will not interact with humans during their time in the enclosure. They will only be released into the sanctuary once they have adjusted to their new environment. A team of experts, led by Dr. R. Sukumar from the Indian Institute of Science, is guiding the project. This team will visit the sanctuary soon to finalize the site, ensuring it is free from human interference.