Baripada: Two elephants – 57-year-old Mahendra and 16-year-old Rajkumar – were shifted from Similipal sanctuary in Mayurbhnaj to Satkosia in Angul in the wee hours of Sunday to keep a vigil on Sundari.
The two animals will to help guards keep a watch on tigress Sundari in the Satkisona sanctuary.
A section of people protested when the two were being shifted to Satkosia. However, they were convinced later by the forest officials.
It may be noted here that the forest department had brought Mahendra and Rajkumar from Karnataka to Similipal in 2001.
The animals used to move about in various parts of the sanctuary and kept a watch on poachers and movement of animals.
On the other hand, tigress Sundari was brought from Kanha in Madhya Pradesh to Satkosia sanctuary in Angul in May 2018.
The forest department was convinced about the ability of the two well-trained elephants to keep a vigil on the movement of Sundari.
The forest department had attempted twice to take the two jumbos to Satkosia, but they had failed.
Four mahuts and two veterinary doctors were sent with the two elephants.
Deputy director of the STR, Jajnadatt Pati said that Mahendra and Rajkumar were shifted to the Satkosia in a truck from Jashipur in the wee hours along with a veterinary team and mahuts.
“Before their shifting, locals had strongly opposed. But they were convinced through talks. Besides, the two elephants will be brought back to Similipal soon,” he added.
PNN