Bengaluru, April 28: Kodagu Dubare camp elephant Kusha, which had been captured by Forest Department staff, will be returned to the forests, said Forest and Kannada and Culture Minister Arvind Limbavali has said.
He held a meeting with Forest Department senior officers regarding the matter at his office on Wednesday.
The elephant, which had escaped from the camp a year ago, had been recaptured, but animal lovers had been complaining that the elephant was being tortured by the Forest Department officers. Calling a meeting following the complaints, Arvind Limbavali called a meeting and confirmed from the forest officers that the elephant Kusha was not being ill-treated.
The minister instructed the officers to fix a rodeo collar on the elephant and let it into the jungle once a suitable place is identified. He also told the officers to take necessary safety steps for the work.
Arvind Limbavali was informed that Prajna Chowta, who lives near Dubare camp, had been taking care of elephants at her place and that the local residents had raised objection to this. In the backdrop of development, the minister directed the forest department to take over 7 elephants including 5 calf’s which was under the care of Prajna Chowta .
Sanjay Mohan, PCCF (Head of forest force), Vijaykumar Gogi, PCCF (Wildlife), and wildlife curators attended the meeting.
