A rogue wild elephant that has been raiding and destroying crops in fields adjoining a reserve forest area in southern India, was captured after a marathon operation on March 11.

The elephant was captured by a rescue team with the help of local villagers at Chembarathimoola forest near Vadakkanad in Kurichiyad range of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Kerala state.

Visuals showed the loner, Vadakkanadu Komban, pulled by a group of men from the front using a rope, while a kumki elephant guarded its back, to prevent escape.

Reports said kumki Neelakandan led the operation. A kumki is a trained elephant used to capture a wild elephant.

The operation involved at least 120 personnel, including two other kumkis, Pramugha and Surya, vets, forest department officials, trackers and tranquiliser experts.

It was undertaken after villagers complained about the loner destroying crops and threatening their safety.

The tusker was tranquilised with Ketamine-Xylazine drug and as it showed some signs of sedation, it was translocated with the help of kumkis. Komban was later transported to Muthanga elephant camp by lorry, where it will remain under observation for a few days.