Wayanad (Kerala) | A wild elephant, fondly called ‘Muttikkomban’, was captured on Friday morning after it posed a threat to people and crops in the Vadakkanad area, forest officials said.

The operation was carried out on the orders of the chief wildlife warden following repeated complaints from residents, they said.

For nearly a month, the elephant had been entering farms at night, breaking solar fences and damaging crops.

Forest teams made several attempts to drive it back into the forest, but it kept returning.

Kumki elephants were deployed, and night patrols intensified.

“We tried to push the elephant back into the forest multiple times, but it kept returning and posed a danger to people,” a forest official said.

The elephant was eventually located in the Thathur section and monitored overnight.

On Friday morning, a veterinary team led by Dr Arun Zachariah tranquilised it.

Officials said the elephant has an injury to its trunk, making it difficult for it to feed in the wild.

Considering its condition, it will be treated and kept under observation at the Muthanga camp, they said.

The elephant will be fitted with a radio collar and monitored closely until it recovers, an official added.