(IN)Andhra Orissa elephant tussle

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*Operation Gajendra abandoned*

 

Statesman News Service

PARALAKHEMUNDI, Oct. 31: Buckling under pressure from various quarters, the

Andhra Pradesh government aborted 'Operation Gajendra' today. It released

the elephants that have been captured for transportation by truck to Orissa.

 

It mat be noted here that CM Mr Naveen Patanik had yesterday disapproved of

the manner in which the pachyderms were translocated. He had sent a missive

to his AP counterpart, following the death of a female elephant after

translocation.

The Andhra Pradesh government today, relenting to the pressure from the Mr

Patnaik and released all the four elephants that had been captured by it.

They were sent back by road on trucks to Orissa.

After the media vehemently criticised the role of the forest department

officers of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram as being responsible for the death

of the elderly female elephant, the AP government directed the departmental

staff to abort 'Operation Gajendra'. There was also a huge pressure from

animal rights group who were concerned regarding the death of the elephant.

In another development, it was rumoured that a baby elephant had died. This

sent the forest department of Gajapati into a tizzy.

They said rumour was the fall out of a news item in a Telugu Channel, which

claimed to have received information that a baby elephant had died. Forest

officers are now trying to locate the animal which had disappeared

mysteriously. The forest department has also announced a reward for any

person who will be able to give information about the animal. The district

collector, when contacted, said he was not aware of the new development so

he could not confirm or deny the information.