Overview
- Gajendra was transported by truck from the K.Gudi–Budipadaga camp in Chamarajanagar to the Mathigodu camp in Nagarahole on the Forest Minister’s order.
- Minister Eshwar Khandre said he acted on pleas from animal lovers and argued the solitary elephant was depressed without herd mates.
- Deputy Conservator of Forests Sripathi said the move was carried out safely and described Gajendra as lonely but not depressed.
- Some forest staff disputed the ‘solitary’ claim and asked for contingency plans if the elephant does not adapt at Mathigodu.
- The relocation follows years of isolation after a 2015 musth phase—when male elephants show heightened aggression—in which he killed a mahout and another camp elephant.