In pictures: The 10-day hunt to capture a wild elephant

A large number of people gathered to see Shankar leaving for his final destination. (Source: The Hindu)

In December 2020, the Tamil Nadu State Forest Department found a broken tusk of a wild elephant in Gudalur in The Nilgiris. The ‘brash’ elephant is said to have trampled three people to death. Soon a search operation was launched to tranquilise and capture the elephant.

However, the jumbo nicknamed as ‘Shankar’ escaped into Kerala’s Nilambur forest, thanks to his herd of five females, three males and a calf.

Also read | How elephant Shankar was saved by a herd of elephants during a tracking operation in the Nilgiris

‘Shankar’ was spotted again in Tamil Nadu on February 3, 2021, and since then a massive search operation was launched, which included a team of four kumkis (trained elephants), forest veterinary officers and other veterinarians.

The Hindu’s photographer M. Sathyamoorthy has documented the 10-day operation. Here are the images.

Elephant Shankar with a broken tusk was captured at Cherambadi on February 12, 2021, and was taken to Abhayaranyam elephant camp in Mudumalai tiger reserve late in the night. (Source: The Hindu)

Elephant Shankar with a broken tusk was captured at Cherambadi on February 12, 2021, and was taken to Abhayaranyam elephant camp in Mudumalai tiger reserve late in the night. (Source: The Hindu)

Forest trackers look for the elephant at Cherambadi area. (Source: The Hindu)

When Shankar waled into Tamil Nadu from Kerala on February 3, the field staff at Cherambadi forest have kept a strict vigil to ensure the elephant doesn't enter villages. (Source: The Hindu)

Shankar is spotted in a thick forest with his small herd. (Source: The Hindu)

Field trackers and forest officials guide a veterinarian at Cheppantodu. (Source: The Hindu)

A forest vet runs into the forest at Pudupadi where Shankar was said to be hiding. (Source: The Hindu)

A vet misses the target while trying to tranquillise Shankar at Nayakansolai near Cherambadi on February 9, 2021. (Source: The Hindu)

District forest officer Omkar with his team. Despite their best efforts Shankar escaped into the forest on February 10, 2021. (Source: The Hindu)

Additional Principal Chief Conservator Anwardeen gives instructions to field staff after Shankar was darted on February 10, 2021. (Source: The Hindu)

Forest staff follow Shankar and his herd after the elephant was darted in the Tantea estate near 10th line, Cherambadi on February 10, 2021. (Source: The Hindu)

Kumki elephants Kalim, Sujay, Vijay and Srinivasan were brought from Theppakadu for the operation. Incidentally, Srinivasan used to be closely associated with Shankar during his time in the wild. Srinivasan was captured in 2016. (Source: The Hindu)

Twins Vijay and Sujai were the leading kumkis in the operation. (Source: The Hindu)

On February 12, 2021, a “Machan” (raised platform) was erected on a tree. It was from here, the first dart was shot on Shankar. (Source: The Hindu)

Forest vets Vijayaragavan (left) and Rajesh Kumar wait outside the forest to dart the jumbo. They successfully darted Shankar along with vet K. Ashokan (not in picture). (Source: The Hindu)

Kirumaran, who is considered one of the best elephant trackers in India, puts a rope on the legs Shankar after it was successfully darted and separated from the herd. (Source: The Hindu)

After successfully putting ropes in its legs, Shankar was standing in a steep cliff. Forest staff had to tie him on a tree and then pull him to a flat area. (Source: The Hindu)

Kumkis Kalim, Sujay, Vijay and Srinivasan push Shankar to a lorry. Kumkis Bomban and Mudumalai were also kept as back up. (Source: The Hindu)

Shankar is guided to a krall, an elephant shelter. (Source: The Hindu)