The wild gaur, which strayed into densely populated areas including Eranholi near Thalassery, was caught using chemical immobilization by a team of forest department experts and later released in the Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary forest area on Sunday (May 10).
Gaur was taken in a special vehicle to the sanctuary and released after officials confirmed his condition was satisfactory.
Forest officials have been tracking the movement of the animal for the last two days in Koothuparamba and Panunda areas. The gaur was first spotted at Kadirur Panunda on May 7 and later the animal strayed into a private property at Vadakumbad, Thottummal. Officials said the animal had wandered nearly 13.5 km from forest areas into a densely populated area, making it impractical to drive it back naturally.
Following concerns raised by residents, the forest department obtained special permission from the chief wildlife warden to tranquilize and capture the animal.
Gaur was finally located behind the Thalassery Institute of Advanced Studies in Eranholi on Friday morning after which the operation was launched.
The operation was conducted under Kannur Divisional Forest Officer S. Vysak and led by Kottur Range Officer Nithin Raj T.
Officials including Kannur Rapid Response Team Deputy Officer Shinya Kumar, Section Forest Officer Pramod Kumar, CK Mahesh and Sunil Kumar along with forest staff and snake rescue volunteer Bijilesh participated in the mission. Thalassery Town police station staff and residents also assisted in the operation.
Published – 11 May 2026 19:02 IST
