A 60-year-old man was killed in an elephant attack in Bengaluru on Monday morning after the animal reportedly strayed nearly 5 km from its forest habitat. The victim, identified as Nagaraj, was out for a morning walk when the elephant attacked him. The incident has prompted the Karnataka Forest Department to launch a large-scale effort to track and capture the animal and prevent it from moving further into populated areas.

Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy visited Rajarajeshwari Hospital following the incident and met the family of the deceased. He announced compensation of Rs 20 lakh for Nagaraj’s family, describing the payment as a humanitarian measure and saying it would be provided in accordance with government norms. The incident has also raised concerns over elephants moving beyond their usual habitat and coming into closer contact with residential and public areas.

The Forest Department has deployed around 100 personnel to locate the elephant. Three special teams involving personnel from Ramanagara, Bannerghatta and Bengaluru have been formed to track its movements. Officials are also using drones for surveillance, while four trained elephants from the Dubare camp are being brought in to assist the teams in capturing the animal.

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According to Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy, elephants have been moving through the area since the construction of a new road. Forest officials are now working to track the lone elephant and prevent it from moving further beyond the Bannerghatta forest division. Deputy Conservator of Forests Chakrapani said the elephant had been traced to the BM Kaval area, where teams were conducting combing operations to locate and capture it.

Authorities have advised people in the affected area to avoid venturing outdoors while the operation is underway. Forest teams are closely monitoring the elephant’s movements as they work to capture it and reduce the risk of another encounter with residents. Officials are also examining measures to prevent elephants from moving beyond the Bannerghatta forest division and entering areas with high human activity.

The attack comes amid concerns over encounters between people and elephants in areas close to forest boundaries. With the animal believed to have travelled several kilometres outside the forest before the fatal attack, officials are focusing on its immediate capture as well as measures to prevent similar incidents. Teams will continue combing the BM Kaval area with drone support and trained elephants until the animal is located and secured.

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