Forest officials have captured a rogue elephant that allegedly killed a 55-year-old farmer near Devarayashettipura village in the Omkar forest range of Bandipur National Park, close to Nanjangud in Mysuru district. The male elephant, estimated to be about 40 years old, was captured on the fourth day of an operation and moved to the Rampura elephant camp.
The farmer, identified as Shivakumar, was attacked while returning home after guarding his ginger and banana crops. The incident triggered protests by farmers from Devarayashettipura and neighbouring villages, who demanded immediate action against the elephant and questioned the response of forest officials.
Following the death, local farmers also called for the suspension of forest officials for alleged lapses in duty, compensation of ₹20 lakh for the victim’s family and stronger measures to prevent wild animals from entering human settlements and agricultural areas. MLA Darshan Dhruvanarayan visited the site after the incident.
The Forest Department brought six trained elephants from the Dubare and Rampura forest areas to assist with the search and capture operation. Teams conducted the operation in and around the Kothanahalli and Naganapura forest areas, where the male elephant was eventually located and secured.
The capture follows growing concern in villages bordering the forest landscape, where farming activity brings residents into regular contact with wildlife. Crop protection work, particularly at farms growing crops such as ginger and bananas, often requires farmers to remain outdoors or return home after dark, increasing exposure in areas used by elephants.
Omkara Range Forest Officer Patil said department staff would conduct patrolling in the area in the coming days. The captured elephant has been shifted to the Rampura elephant camp, while the department’s stated next step is continued monitoring and patrol activity around the affected villages.
