Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has lauded the successful tranquilisation and capture of two rogue elephants in Tirap district, describing the operation as a fine example of coordination, courage, and professionalism.
In a post on X on April 6, CM Khandu expressed relief over the resolution of a long-standing problem that had caused fear and tragic loss of human lives in the region. He noted that such high-risk operations in dense forest terrain require not only technical expertise but also immense dedication from the teams involved.
The Chief Minister specially appreciated the joint effort of the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department, a specialised expert team from Karnataka, and central institutions including the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Wildlife Institute of India.
Highlighting the role of modern technology, Pema Khandu said AI-enabled thermal drones were effectively used during the operation, proving how advanced tools can significantly improve wildlife management and human safety in challenging terrains.
“The successful tranquilization and capture of two rogue elephants, after prolonged fear and tragic loss of human lives, reflects exceptional coordination, courage, and professionalism,” the Chief Minister posted.
The operation had become necessary after the rogue elephants caused multiple human casualties in the Deomali area of Tirap district over the past two years. A 12-member expert team from Karnataka, led by veterinary officer Dr. Ramesha H., was earlier deployed with trained kumki elephants and drones to track and capture the animals.
CM Khandu extended his appreciation to all officers, veterinarians, technical experts, and field staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the mission’s success while prioritising both human safety and animal welfare.
This development is being seen as a major achievement in human-elephant conflict management in Arunachal Pradesh and a model for using technology in wildlife conservation.
Tags: Pema Khandu, Rogue Elephants Capture Arunachal, AI Thermal Drones Wildlife, Tirap District Elephant Operation, Human-Elephant Conflict Arunachal, Karnataka Expert Team, Wildlife Institute of India, Arunachal Forest Department, Northeast Wildlife News, Elephant Tranquilisation
Hashtags: #PemaKhandu #RogueElephant #ArunachalPradesh #AITechnology #WildlifeConservation #TirapDistrict #HumanElephantConflict #NortheastIndia #ArunachalWildlife #ElephantCapture

