A RADIO-COLLAREDmale wild elephant, identified as Collar No 3, was successfully rescued from compartment RF-11, Majhgawan beat, in Chandia range of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve on Sunday. The rescue operation was carried out by a team comprising more than 80 officers and personnel, three wildlife health officers and members of the rescue team. Field Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Dr Anupam Sahay, Conservator of Forests, Shahdol, Divisional Forest Officer, Umaria and Deputy Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve were also involved in the operation. According to forest officials, the elephant had been fitted with a radio collar at Kanha Tiger Reserve before being released into Bandhavgarh on September 9 last year. After moving through different forest ranges for nearly a year, it entered the Majhgawan beat of Chandia range on October 2, 2026. As the area borders human settlements, the elephant had been moving towards villages, raising concerns about possible conflicts that could endanger both local residents and the animal.

 

Following the prescribed procedure and obtaining approval from the competent authority, forest officials undertook the rescue operation on Sunday. During the operation, officials observed that the radio collar had become tight due to the elephant’s physical growth and the prolonged period it had remained fitted. The collar was removed, and a wildlife health officer dressed the wound caused by the tightening of the device. The rescue was conducted while adhering to the prescribed safety protocols. Transportation of the elephant following the rescue was underway at the time of the report. After transportation, the elephant will be shifted to a temporary monitoring enclosure established in the Kallwah range of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. It will remain under observation, and further action will be taken in accordance with instructions from senior forest authorities. The operation was aimed at ensuring the safety of the elephant as well as residents living near its movement corridor.