Bombay HC permits capture of wild elephant Omkar

The Kolhapur bench of Bombay High Court has permitted the capture of ‘Omkar’, a wild elephant that has strayed from its herd, and its temporary translocation to Vantara in Gujarat.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

A bench of Justices MS Karnik and Ajit Kadethankar, in the order passed last week, said the capture shall be done with necessary precautions to ensure Omkar is not harmed or traumatized during the operation.

“Vantara shall oversee the welfare and training of Omkar, with minimal human intervention,” the HC order said.

The order was passed on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by one Rohit Kamble raising concerns over the protection and welfare of Omkar, which after straying from its herd had entered human habitation areas.

Kamble challenged the order passed by the state forest department for translocation/ rehabilitation of Omkar to Vantara arguing the place would not be suited for a wild elephant.

As per the plea, the elephant had entered Maharashtra from Karnataka as part of natural migration after which it strayed from its herd.