A month ago, at least for some elephants, love was in the air at Dudhwa. The tale of a 40-year-old male elephant in Musth and his six female companions is heartwarming and a uniquely captivating story of romance.
A dramatic wildlife saga unfolded in the heart of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR), nestled in Uttar Pradesh’s largest district, Lakhimpur-Kheri. On August 14, a formidable male elephant, driven by the intense hormonal surge of musth, broke free from his restraints. With an air of frantic determination, he led his six female companions on a daring adventure into the deep expanses of the reserve.
For almost two weeks, forest officials were engaged in a high-stakes rescue operation to track down and retrieve the wandering herd. They navigated the challenges of the dense forest and the elephants’ unpredictable behavior. This extraordinary episode not only underscores the raw power and unpredictability of wildlife but also highlights the dedication of those who work tirelessly to ensure their safety and well-being. The successful return of the elephants to their camp demonstrates the delicate balance between human intervention and natural behavior in wildlife management.
Indian Masterminds spoke with Mr. Lalit Kumar Verma, a 1996 batch IFS officer and Field Director of Dudhwa, to gain more insights into this fascinating episode at DTR.
HOW THIS HAPPENED
This saga began nearly a month ago. Each morning at DTR, six female elephants – Kamalkali, Suheli, Kiran, Kaveri, Sulochana, and Chameli – set out to monitor the rhinos in the rehabilitation area of the South Sonaripur Range before returning to camp for food and fodder. Their mahouts accompany them on these excursions.
On their way to the rhino enclosure, these elephants would encounter a trained kumki elephant named Gajraj. Sulochana and Chameli, in particular, were essentially childhood friends of Gajraj, having arrived from Jaldapara alongside him.
On one such morning, Gajraj, who was in Musth, encountered the group. Overcome by the intense hormonal surge, Gajraj broke free from his shackles using sheer strength and approached the female elephants. Driven by his heightened state, he led the females into the jungle, heading towards the rhino enclosure. Consequently, Gajraj and the six female elephants fled into the wild together.
Mr. Verma explained, “All the elephants were in the rhino enclosure, which spans nearly 20 square kilometers. We maintained constant surveillance of them throughout. However, it was crucial to capture the elephant in musth first; otherwise, he would have prevented the others from being captured. This is why we were continuously monitoring the situation.”
THE RESCUE
When it was discovered that Gajraj and the six female elephants had fled, the officials at DTR immediately sprang into action. Surveillance operations were swiftly initiated. Recognizing the potential danger, the mahouts had prudently moved away to avoid injury.
Several teams were then deployed to track down Gajraj and his companions. The search involved using drone cameras to scan the dense forest and extensive grasslands. Forest officials closely tracked their locations, but approaching them immediately was deemed too risky, given the danger posed by an elephant in musth.
CAPTURING
First, the elephant in musth was captured and securely restrained. Once Gajraj was contained, the remaining females were safely brought back to the camp. After Gajraj was secured, the mahouts called the rest of the elephants and guided them back to safety.
After 15 days of intense and dedicated effort, the team successfully located Gajraj and the female elephants. They were safely returned to their designated area.
Mr. Verma explained, “Elephants in musth exhibit a strong drive to escape; they often test their restraints rigorously. When they detect any weakness in their chains, they exploit it, breaking free and running away.”
USING DRONES
When Indian Masterminds asked why drones were used despite continuous monitoring of the elephants, Mr. Verma explained that drones played a crucial role in driving the elephants away from their location due to their humming sounds. The drones helped to gently encourage the elephants to move away from the area, particularly since the elephants were in a fenced section of the jungle and did not venture far.
“Currently, it is the mating season for elephants, which brings significant hormonal changes. These fluctuations greatly affect their behavior, causing them to become somewhat erratic. As a result, elephants often attempt to break free from restraints during this period. Gajraj was no exception and led the female elephants into the forest,” he added.
This riveting episode of nature’s unpredictability and human perseverance highlighted the delicate balance of wildlife management, revealing the profound connection between the untamed spirit of the animals and the dedication of those who strive to protect them.
ABOUT GAJRAJ
In 2008, Gajraj was brought to DTR to patrol the area and monitor the rhinos from the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal. At that time, he was considered a young elephant.
According to the forest official, Gajraj is known for his mischievous and stubborn nature, which is why he was kept chained. The most recent census indicates that there are about 46 rhinos in Dudhwa.
