Forest department officials and wildlife experts who were worried after wild elephants entered the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) after more than 50 years are relieved as the pachyderms have left the area and migrated back to Gadchiroli. Had the elephants stayed longer, it could have increased the chances of negative human-elephant interactions.
A forest department official said, “When the two elephants entered, we were concerned as TATR has high activity of safari vehicles and this increases the chances of negative interactions between the elephants and humans. We are happy that the elephants have gone back to Gadchiroli.”
The male tusker, ME3, entered TATR on May 31, after which the forest department officials continuously monitored the two elephants to prevent any negative human-elephant interaction. ME3 was first spotted near a village close to the Saoli Range of TATR in Chandrapur district. Wildlife conservationist Sagnik Sengupta, co-founder of the NGO Stripes and Green Earth Foundation (SAGE), told mid-day that ME3 is a wanderer and considering his movement pattern in the last year, he didn’t stay long in any area other than his home turf.
“I was confident that he would leave TATR after a short stay because of the bamboo and water. But surprisingly, within a day, he moved out of the TATR core. One reason, I perceive, is the presence of the tiger as ME3 is not used to the tiger`s presence. His presence in TATR would have been a challenge with high tourism activities and with a new species in the wild. Any misadventure by gypsies would have been fatal,” Sengupta said, adding that the entire TATR team did an excellent job in monitoring and avoiding any conflict, “even though wild elephants were in their territory for the first time.”
The other elephant, CME3, was first spotted in Maharashtra in May 2022, and according to reports, the elephant migrated from Gariyaband in Chhattisgarh. This solitary tusker remained in the state for only three days before returning home. Approximately 35 years old, CME3 is infamous for its violent encounters with humans. On November 11, 2023, the tusker was involved in the tragic death of a farmer in Gariyaband. Sengupta, whose team has been monitoring the herd of elephants in Maharashtra, had proposed measures like implementing a long-term mitigation plan featuring monitoring, bio-fencing, and an early warning system. While the existing herd poses little threat, the solitary nature of CME3 has raised concerns about future encounters.
Local authorities are under increasing pressure to ensure the safety of both, the community and the wildlife, as they navigate this complex issue. Both elephants were last spotted in Bodli, Gadchiroli, around 50 km from the Chhattisgarh border.
May 31
Day male tusker ME3 entered tiger reserve
Departure a relief…
Officials feel that the elephants leaving Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) and going back to Gadchiroli is a good sign as a longer stay would have lead to negative interactions between humans and elephants due to a high number of safari vehicles entering the park. Also, tourism vehicle operators and the forest department staff are inexperienced when it comes to dealing with such situations.
About TATR…
The total area of TATR is 1727.17 sq km, including a core area of 625.40 sq km and a buffer area of 1101.77 sq km. TATR has a total of six core zones and 16 buffer zones. The TATR core area remains closed for tourism from July 1 and starts again on October 1, after the monsoon. During the monsoon, all the buffer zones in TATR are open to tourists. Hence, a prolonged stay by the elephants would significantly increase the chances of negative interactions.
