Forest department sources said the movement of the elephant is being monitored by forest personnel. The jumbo has already walked 70 km from Bandipur and has reached the backwaters of Kabini river that separates Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks.
It may not be a difficult task for the elephant to cross the river to re-join its family members. Elephants are very sensitive animals and they can track the presence of its herd from a long distance. “In case it reaches Madikeri forests, it can easily find out the location of its family and re-join them,” the sources said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Conservator of Forests of Bandipur National Park, Dr Hanumanthappa told Deccan Herald that the radio collared elephant was spotted in the backwaters of Kabini river in the morning. He added that the signals were lost briefly while the animal was roaming in the backwaters, but were established again.
The two elephants were caught by the Forest department last week and were released into Bandipur National Park after radiocollaring them to study their movements.