Chennai, Dec 8 (LatestNewsX) – The Tamil Nadu government has set up a high‑level expert panel to draft a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that will guide every step of capturing, moving, releasing, and monitoring wild elephants and other wildlife.
The decision comes after two elephants that were moved to new locations died a few weeks ago, sparking doubts about whether current methods are safe and effective. In a statement, officials reiterated that they are committed to science‑based conservation, humane treatment of animals, and the safety of local communities. They also stressed that translocation is only considered when other options to reduce human‑wildlife conflict or protect people have failed.
These recent fatalities, still under investigation, prompted a thorough review of existing protocols and led to the creation of the new committee. A. Udhayan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Director of the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation, will chair the body.
Other members include Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Special Secretary Anurag Mishra; District Forest Officer N. Vengatesh Prabhu of the Gudalur Division; Forest Veterinary Officer K. Kalaivanan from the Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve; Forest Veterinary Assistant Surgeon Rajesh of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve; and Assistant Professor N. Baskaran of A.V.C. College. The panel can also bring in outside experts—such as behavioural ecologists and GIS specialists—if needed.
The committee’s tasks are clear: examine what went wrong in the recent deaths, compare current practices with national and international best guidelines, spot any major weaknesses, and put together a comprehensive SOP. This SOP will cover everything from sedation and transport to release strategies and long‑term monitoring of the animals.
With a two‑month deadline, the panel must deliver a report and an SOP draft. After review, the government plans to roll out the plan across the state. The new framework is expected to boost animal survival, reduce stress and injury during movements, and improve conflict‑mitigation outcomes. If successful, Tamil Nadu says the SOP could become a template for other states and even for national policy.
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