Mission Sundari: Kumki Elephant Yashoda Arrives In Satkosia

Angul: Having failed in its earlier attempts to tranqualise Royal Bengal tigress Sundari, the Forest Department has decided to engage trained Kumki elephant Yashoda of Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary, which arrived in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday.

According to reports, Yashoda arrived at Satkosia in a truck from Godibari area of Chandaka sanctuary with four trainers and a team of forest staff.

As informed by the additional PCCF Sudarshan Panda earlier, unlike other sanctuaries in the country, the Satkosia, barring the core forest area, has a vast stretch of dense bush. With the tigress mostly moving along the bushy areas adjacent to the human settlements, forest staff are facing difficulty in spotting and in their attempt to tranqualise her since the 10 days.

“As a last resort, we decided to engage a trained elephant in the mission. It would be easier for the forest staff, who will mount the elephant to spot the tigress and tranquilise her. The expert team from Bandhavgarh tiger sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh will be the part of the team to catch the elusive tigress,” he added.

Since it was not possible to bring the Kumki elephant from Similipal National Park, the department had decided to engage the one of Chandaka sanctuary.

Panda also informed that talks were on with Karnataka to bring two more Kumki elephants to join the Mission Sundari in Satkosia.

Following the death of two villagers, who were suspected to have been killed by the tigress, the Forest department has decided to shift her to Nandankanal Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar.