‘Sharpshooter’ dies in wild elephant attack during Forest dept bid to tranquilise animal

HASSAN: A sharpshooter, who was working with the Forest Department to tranquilise wild animals, died after he was trampled by a wild elephant in Alur taluk of the district today.

Moment before the elephant charged at the sharpshooter (in blue shirt).

The wild elephant, named Bhima by locals, had sustained injuries in a fight with another elephant near Heggove and had been roaming around for food as it had become weak. On Thursday, the Forest Department staff launched an operation to tranquilise the elephant and provide treatment after it was spotted near Halluyur in Alur taluk.

The elephant suddenly turned around and began to charge.

Wildlife veterinarian Wasim and sharpshooter Venkatesh, along with a team of forest officials, arrived at the spot to tranquilise the elephant. Suddenly, the elephant, which had not attacked anyone so far, charged at Venkatesh and attacked him, leaving him grievously injured.

The Forest Department staff carrying Venkatesh from the place where he was attacked.

The forest staff managed to rescue Venkatesh from where he was attacked and moved him out from the forest. Later, an ambulance carrying him broke down on the way and Venkatesh was brought to the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS) in a Forest Department vehicle. But he did not respond to treatment and died.

The elephant, named Bhima by locals, had not attacked anyone so far.

Hailing from Honnavalli village in Aluk taluk, Venkatesh had joined the Forest Department as a contractual staffer in 1987 and worked till 2019. He had vast experience in darting animals like elephants, tigers, leopards, bears, and also played an important role in shifting them and radio collaring them.

Venkatesh had taken part in many operations to dart wild elephants and other animals.

Even after being relieved of his duties in 2019, Venkatesh continued to work with the Forest Department in capturing wild elephants. He had even taken part in such operations in Goa, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Hassan, Kalasa, Koppa, Madikeri and Chikkamagalur in the state. He was popular as ‘sharpshooter Venkatesh’ in the Malnad region.