Two Kumki elephants to be deployed in Andhra to tackle wild elephant menace

Andhra Pradesh is deploying trained Kumki elephants Jayant and Abhimanyu to Guchimi camp after repeated elephant incursions from Odisha. The move aims to manage crop damage and safety risks in border villages while the state explores longer-term measures.Andhra Pradesh is preparing to deploy two trained Kumki elephants, Jayant and Abhimanyu, to Guchimi camp in Parvathipuram Manyam district.Andhra Pradesh is preparing to deploy two trained Kumki elephants, Jayant and Abhimanyu, to Guchimi camp in Parvathipuram Manyam district to help tackle the growing human-elephant conflict in border villages.The move follows directions from Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Forest and Environment Minister Pawan Kalyan, amid repeated incursions by wild elephant herds crossing into the state from neighbouring Odisha.Jayant, trained at the state's Naniyal Elephant Camp, and Abhimanyu, brought from Karnataka, have extensive experience in wildlife management and conflict-resolution operations. The two elephants have recently participated in six major operations, including the capture of a lone and high-risk wild bull elephant near Palamaneru.Forest officials said their field coordination, operational performance and calm temperament were key factors behind their selection for deployment in Manyam. Officials said forest fragmentation, declining canopy cover and shortages of food and water in natural habitats have increasingly pushed wild elephant herds into border villages. The incursions have resulted in crop damage and posed recurring safety risks to farming communities.As part of a long-term strategy, Andhra Pradesh is also holding discussions with Odisha on the issue and is exploring the procurement of additional trained Kumki elephants from the neighbouring state. As an immediate measure, Pawan Kalyan ordered the transfer of Jayant and Abhimanyu from the Musalamadugu camp in Palamaneru to Guchimi. - EndsPublished By: Zafar ZaidiPublished On: Jul 22, 2026 08:13 IST