Itanagar, April 6: A rogue elephant that caused two fatalities in Sunpura, Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh, has been successfully captured, Tezu MLA Mohesh Chai announced on Sunday. The operation has eased fears among local residents.

Wildlife experts from Karnataka, in coordination with the Arunachal Pradesh Forest & Environment Department, carried out the capture. Chai thanked the expert team, forest officials, and state government authorities, including Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, and the Environment & Forest Minister, for their support.

Chai, along with senior officials such as the Chief Conservator of Forests (Eastern Zone), Conservator of Forests, and Tezu Divisional Forest Officer, had earlier inspected the site to monitor the operation.

The elephant was tracked, cornered, and relocated to a habitat away from human settlements, Chai confirmed, adding that the move is expected to restore safety and normalcy for affected communities.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu commended the coordination between the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department, Karnataka expert team, and institutions like the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and Wildlife Institute of India. He also noted the effective use of modern technologies, including AI-enabled thermal drones, in ensuring both human safety and responsible wildlife management.

Khandu appreciated the efforts of officers, veterinarians, technical experts, and field staff involved in the operation, highlighting the professionalism and dedication required for such a complex task in challenging forest terrain.