Elephant Fitted Radio Collar: In a major step towards wild elephant conservation and reducing human-wildlife conflict, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has successfully shifted a wild elephant from Kanha Tiger Reserve to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. The elephant has been released into the forest after being fitted with a satellite radio collar, allowing continuous monitoring of its movement and behavior.
This initiative not only reflects India’s growing commitment to wildlife management but also sets an example of how modern technology can help in managing the increasing human-elephant conflicts across forest areas.
Why the Elephant Was Shifted
According to officials, the elephant originally came from Chhattisgarh and was captured in Anuppur district in February 2024 after repeated incidents of conflict. Local communities reported severe damage to houses, crops, and even cases of human casualties caused by this elephant.
To ensure public safety and at the same time protect the animal, the elephant was rescued under the orders of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Bhopal. The joint rescue team of Bandhavgarh and Sanjay Tiger Reserve worked together to capture and safely transport the animal.
Initially, the elephant was kept in captivity at Kanha Tiger Reserve, where its health and behavioral patterns were closely studied. The idea was to evaluate whether the animal could adapt again to a wild environment without repeating aggressive behavior.
Elephant Advisory Committee’s Role
A scientific committee was formed to assess the health, behavior, and stress levels of the elephant. After months of observation, the Elephant Advisory Committee conducted a detailed review.
Their findings concluded that:
- The elephant had regained full health.
- Its behavior had normalized and aggression had reduced.
- It was fit to be released into the wild again.
Based on these results, the committee recommended releasing the elephant with a satellite-based radio collar so that its activities could be tracked in real-time.
The Transfer Operation
Once approval was granted by the Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh, a joint team of Kanha and Bandhavgarh authorities carried out the operation.
- On September 4, 2025, the elephant was fitted with a radio collar at Kanha.
- On September 9, 2025, it was transported via a special truck from Kanha to Bandhavgarh.
- The animal was finally released near a herd of wild elephants inside the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
The radio collar will now help authorities monitor the elephant’s movements, social interactions, and behavior patterns.
Importance of the Radio Collar
The fitting of a radio collar on elephants is not just about tracking. It serves multiple purposes:
- Conflict Prevention – Authorities can monitor the elephant’s approach towards human settlements and take preventive measures.
- Health Monitoring – Behavioral changes often indicate stress, illness, or injury. Radio collars help in early detection.
- Scientific Research – Data collected from the collar provides valuable insights into elephant migration, herd dynamics, and habitat use.
- Conservation Strategy – The information helps design long-term strategies for reducing man-elephant conflict in central India.
So far, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has released three elephants fitted with radio collars, making it one of the leading reserves in India to use this technology.
Voices from the Authorities
Anupam Sahay, Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, stated:
“This step will strengthen scientific management and conservation of wild elephants. Monitoring through radio collars will help prevent future human-elephant conflicts. Bandhavgarh is now better prepared to manage elephants responsibly.”
Ravindra Mani Tripathi, Director of Kanha National Park, added:
“During January and February 2024, this elephant had caused massive property damage and even some casualties in areas adjoining Anuppur and Bandhavgarh. Capturing and rehabilitating it was essential. After long monitoring, we are confident it can now live peacefully in the wild.”
Human-Elephant Conflict in Central India
The issue of human-elephant conflict is not new. Central Indian states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have seen increasing cases where elephants stray into villages, damaging crops and houses.
Reasons for this include:
- Shrinking forest cover.
- Fragmentation of elephant corridors.
- Competition for food and water resources.
According to experts, elephants are highly intelligent and social animals. When their natural habitat is disturbed, they often move towards human settlements, leading to tension.
Also read: Kottur Elephant Rehabilitation Centre: A Hope for Kerala’s Captive Elephants
Elephants as “Wildlife Ambassadors” of Madhya Pradesh
The Madhya Pradesh government has also shown interest in declaring the state as an Elephant State of India, considering the rising population of elephants migrating from Chhattisgarh. With measures like radio collar monitoring, the state is setting an example for responsible conservation.
Interestingly, forest officials also mention that each elephant is now given a unique ID through the radio collar, making them easy to identify and track. In a way, elephants of Madhya Pradesh will now be moving with their own digital identity cards.
Also read: SC Slams Uttarakhand Over Bid to Protect Corbett Tiger Reserve Director
Future Benefits of the Initiative
The release of this elephant with a radio collar will bring several long-term benefits:
- Better Coexistence: Reduced conflict between humans and elephants.
- Research Opportunities: Wildlife researchers can study migration routes, diet preferences, and herd behavior.
- Conservation Planning: Authorities can create better protected corridors for elephant movement.
- Tourism Boost: Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, already famous for tigers, may attract more visitors interested in elephants.
Also read: First Photographic Record of Elusive Cat Captured in Arunachal Pradesh Wildlife Survey
Conclusion:Elephant Fitted Radio Collar
The decision to shift a wild elephant from Kanha to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and fit it with a satellite radio collar marks a milestone in Indian wildlife conservation. It shows how technology, science, and responsible governance can come together to protect both human lives and wildlife.
As Madhya Pradesh moves towards becoming an “Elephant State,” such initiatives will not only protect elephants but also create harmony between forest communities and wildlife.
The journey of this single elephant, once a cause of fear in villages, now represents hope, coexistence, and conservation for the future.
